LADDER Program
Doctoral Training Program
This research is funded by the U.S. Department
of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (Award #H325D240071)
Jessica Toste
Project Director
UT Austin
Kristen McMaster
Project Co-Director
University of Minnesota
Christian Doabler
Project Co-Director
UT Austin
The Leaders in Advancing Data Decisions for Educational Responsiveness (LADDER) Training Program will prepare seven doctoral-level scholars with the expertise needed to support teacher training and advance the next generation of research on data-based instruction (DBI). The LADDER Program is a partnership between The University of Texas at Austin and University of Minnesota, and scholars will be completing a special education PhD program in one of these top-ranked institutions.
The LADDER Program aims to address persistent educational inequities in access to appropriate supports and services for students with intensive needs, including learning disabilities (LD), by preparing special education leadership personnel to improve delivery of intensive, individualized academic interventions.
To learn more about LADDER and admissions process, click to access the video recording, slides, or transcript from our October 2024 information session.
LADDER PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSION
To be considered for the LADDER Program, scholars must first apply and be admitted to a PhD program at one of our partner institutions. We encourage you to review each program's admission requirements.
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Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders (LD/BD) PhD, Department of Special Education at The University of Texas at Austin
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Special Education PhD, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota.
The LADDER Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. As such, one must be a citizen of the United States or hold permanent resident status to receive a fellowship through this program. Candidates must also have prior experience in the field of special education and have completed a master’s degree in education or a related field.