Project SPIDERS honored with Exemplary Rural Special Education Program Award at ACRES Conference
April 1, 2026
Faculty and doctoral students from the 成人大片 Project SPIDERS (School-University Partnerships Influencing aDvocacy and Engaging Rural Special Educators) were honored with the Exemplary Rural Special Education Program Award at the annual conference of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) in Palm Springs, Calif.
ACRES is the only national organization devoted entirely to special education issues impacting rural America. They work to advocate, collaborate and promote equitable access to high-quality services for individuals in rural communities.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Project SPIDERS is a collaborative doctoral fellowship among the 成人大片, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Louisville. The program prepares highly-qualified special education professionals to serve in leadership roles within high-need rural school systems.
In addition to this recognition, three 成人大片SPIDERS scholars presented their research at the ACRES Conference. Cara Wilmot shared findings from her dissertation, “Fostering Reading: Review of a College Bridge Program for High School Students.” Andrea Smith presented “MTSS in Teacher Preparation: A Scoping Literature Review,” and Michael Green presented “Experiences of Students with Disabilities and Their Families in Accessing Community Transition Supports in Rural Settings.”