A-State awarded $2 million to establish statewide center for inclusive postsecondary education – KAIT

Report on Federal Funding for Inclusive Postsecondary Education in Arkansas

Introduction and Strategic Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Arkansas State University (A-State) has secured approximately $2 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education. This five-year grant is designated for the establishment of a statewide coordinating center for Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs and the expansion of these programs throughout Arkansas. This initiative directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by creating equitable educational and vocational pathways for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Project Leadership and Governance

The initiative will be managed by the RESTORE (Research, Education, Service, Transition and Outreach through Reflective Engagement) Hub at Arkansas State University, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Kristin N. Johnson. A new coordinating body, the Consortium for Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Transition (CIPET), will be established to oversee the statewide IPSE programs. Dr. Johnson stated that the initiative is a “transformative response to one of the most significant gaps in services,” underscoring its mission to advance SDG 10 by targeting the needs of a historically underserved population.

Core Objectives and Contribution to Sustainable Development

The consortium’s primary goal is to create a comprehensive, scalable, and sustainable framework for inclusive postsecondary education. This framework is built upon key objectives that align with global sustainability targets.

1. Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education (SDG 4): The project is grounded in the principle that every student deserves access to high-quality, inclusive postsecondary experiences. CIPET will provide technical assistance, disseminate resources, and enhance institutional capacity to deliver meaningful and measurable educational outcomes.
2. Reduce Inequality Within and Among Communities (SDG 10): By expanding IPSE programs to urban, rural, and underrepresented communities, the consortium directly addresses educational and social disparities. The initiative aims to break down barriers and build futures for students with IDD, ensuring inclusion is treated as essential, not optional.
3. Promote Full and Productive Employment and Decent Work for All (SDG 8): A central focus is to connect education with workforce development. The programs are designed to lead to gains in life skills, industry-recognized credentials, and ultimately, gainful employment, thereby fostering economic independence for young adults with disabilities.
4. Strengthen Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The project exemplifies a multi-stakeholder partnership, uniting federal government funding with the academic and community resources of three distinct higher education institutions to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Consortium Structure and Partner Roles

The consortium leverages the unique strengths of its partner institutions to create a robust foundation for implementation and sustainability, reflecting the collaborative spirit of SDG 17.

• Arkansas State University (A-State): Serves as the lead institution and technical assistance hub. A-State will provide leadership, a research-driven approach based on its existing H.O.W.L. Transition Program, and will anchor consortium-wide data evaluation and professional development.
• University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB): Will establish an IPSE program to expand access to transformative educational opportunities in the Delta region. Dean Kimberley Davis-Hunt highlighted the program’s role in affirming dignity and expanding opportunity for students and families in the Pine Bluff community.
• Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH): Will enhance services and programming for adults with learning differences in its rural service area. Chancellor Bentley Wallace noted the goal is to facilitate gains in life skills, credentials, and employment, contributing directly to SDG 8.

Conclusion

The establishment of the Consortium for Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Transition, supported by significant federal investment, marks a pivotal advancement for educational equity in Arkansas. By systematically aligning its objectives with the Sustainable Development Goals, the initiative is poised to not only transform the educational and employment landscape for individuals with disabilities within the state but also to create a replicable national model for inclusive excellence and sustainable community development.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article’s primary focus is on establishing and expanding Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This directly aligns with SDG 4’s goal to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The initiative aims to provide access to higher education for an underserved population.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The program is designed to lead to tangible employment outcomes. The article states that the initiative will increase “workforce efforts” and lead to “gains in life skills, industry-recognized credentials, certificates, degrees, and gainful employment.” This connects to SDG 8’s aim to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.”

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article explicitly identifies students with intellectual and developmental disabilities as “among the most underserved populations” and states the program is “purposefully designed to close that gap.” This directly addresses SDG 10, which calls for reducing inequality within and among countries by empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The initiative is built on a multi-stakeholder partnership. The article details the “Consortium for Inclusive Postsecondary Education and Transition (CIPET),” which is a collaboration between Arkansas State University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. This model reflects SDG 17’s emphasis on revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. The article’s core mission is to “expand IPSE programs in Arkansas,” thereby increasing access to postsecondary education for students with disabilities.
   • Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities. The program is specifically created for “students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” directly addressing the need for equal access for this vulnerable group.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The article highlights that the program aims to “transform the… employment landscape for young adults with disabilities” and lead to “gainful employment.”

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… disability. The initiative is described as a “transformative response” to close service gaps and ensure that “every individual, regardless of ability, has access to transformative educational opportunities,” promoting social and economic inclusion.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article describes the consortium of three state universities (A-State, UAPB, ASU-Mountain Home) funded by a government entity (U.S. Department of Education) as a partnership that leverages collective assets to “form a robust foundation for implementation, scale and sustainability.”

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

While the article does not mention official SDG indicators, it implies several metrics that can be used to measure the program’s success:

1. For SDG 4 (Quality Education)

   • Number of new or expanded IPSE programs: The article states the goal is to “expand IPSE programs in Arkansas” and build a program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Arkansas State University-Mountain Home. Tracking the establishment of these programs is a direct indicator of progress.
   • Enrollment numbers of students with disabilities: An increase in the number of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities enrolled in postsecondary education across the consortium would measure progress towards ensuring equal access.

2. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

   • Employment rate of program graduates: The stated outcome of “gainful employment” implies that tracking the percentage of graduates who secure jobs would be a key performance indicator.
   • Number of credentials awarded: The article mentions the program leads to “industry-recognized credentials, certificates, degrees.” The number of these qualifications awarded to students would be a measurable indicator of skill development.

3. For SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

   • Reach in underserved communities: The program aims to serve “urban, rural and underrepresented communities.” An indicator would be the number of students enrolled from these specific geographic and demographic areas, demonstrating that the initiative is closing the service gap where it is most needed.

4. For SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

   • Sustainability of the consortium model: The article mentions creating a “scalable and sustainable framework.” The continued operation and collaboration of the consortium beyond the initial five-year funding period would indicate a successful partnership.
   • Number of resources disseminated: The coordinating center (CIPET) will “lead data collection and evaluation, and disseminate resources.” The volume and impact of these shared resources would be an indicator of the partnership’s effectiveness.

4. Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kait8.com