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FSM Special Education Funding Application's Approval Recommended

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): September 4, 1997 - The application for funding of Special Education Programs in the FSM submitted by the FSM Department of Education to the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) has been recommended for approval by Project Officer Marie Roane, according to the Department's August 1997 Newsletter.

In her letter to Secretary Catalino Cantero, Roane said the recommended funding level of $3,517,670 is based upon the recommendation from the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL).

The FSM and State Special Education Coordinators held a meeting in late August in which a revised budget based on the $3,517,670 figure was developed and was transmitted to OSEP ahead of the deadline of September 15, 1997, says Special Education Program Manager in the FSM Department of Education, Makir Keller.

As apportioned, each entity's share is as follows: Kosrae State, $535,454; Pohnpei State, $949,172; Chuuk State, $1,052,584; Yap State, $463,473; and the National Government, $516,987. The funds will become available to the FSM on October 1, 1997, says Keller.

In addition to the routine programs monitoring responsibilities of FSM Special Education Office, a new Master Degree Training Program will be instituted this year in cooperation with COM-FSM and the University of Guam which will enroll a total of 10 candidates, two each from Kosrae and Yap States, and three each from Chuuk and Pohnpei States. Upon successful completion of the two-year program, participants will have been certified Special Education Experts having taken at least five accredited courses in the field, Keller says.

There currently are 1,940 clients out of the estimated over 3,000 eligible students FSM-wide, Keller says, adding that there potentially are more eligible students to be enrolled and his office together with each state is taking steps to broaden the enrollment in the program by conducting child count in each state.

Of the 1,940 enrolled in Special Education Program, Chuuk 641; Pohnpei, 771; Kosrae, 279; and Yap, 249 students. Of the 175 total teaching and administrative staff, Chuuk, 52; Pohnpei, 65; Kosrae, 32; Yap, 23; and the FSM National Government, three.

The FSM Government is committed to ensure that services of the Office of Special Education Program are equitably accessable to program participants without discrimination.