Please check back in fall 2023 for next year’s application. For application technical support, email the Fellowship in Special Education team.
The Fellowship in Special Education is a teacher development and licensure program serving schools and teachers across Washington, DC. In the Fellowship, participants will increase their capacity to implement and adapt supports to meet the needs of all students. Upon successful completion of all program requirements, Fellows become eligible to gain licensure in Special Education through DC’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
Ideal Candidates
The Fellowship is intended for instructional staff who wish to acquire and integrate new knowledge and skills and increase their effectiveness at supporting the needs of a wide range of students.
It is ideal professional development for:
- Current educators and instructional leaders who are seeking to grow their understanding and expertise around special education and students with exceptionalities
- New teachers who will be in a special education role
- Current general education teachers who are transitioning to a special education role or are considering the transition in the future
- Current special education teachers who do not yet have a special education certification
- Current instructional aides, dedicated aides, and assistant teachers* who would like to pursue licensure to become a special educator (*bachelor’s degree required)
Fellowship Components
Components of the Fellowship include:
- Attending virtual or in-person summer professional development sessions for three days in July 2023
- Attending weekly virtual or in-person professional development August through June (Wednesday evenings from 5:15- 8:15 pm)
- Completing coursework and readings in the form of asynchronous professional development between weekly sessions
- Completing 5 rigorous project based assignments
- Participating in coaching cycles with the Fellowship team
Application Process
The application process for the 2023-24 school year has closed.
Please check back in fall 2023 for information on our 2024-25 cohort.
Applications are rolling and spots are limited; individuals are encouraged to apply early!
Fellowship Tuition
The Fellowship in Special Education is open to participants from all over Washington, DC. Spots are filled on a first come first serve basis. Program tuition is $8,000. See below for discount opportunities.
Some Fellows have part or all of their tuition costs covered by their schools and others pay individually. We encourage you to reach out to your school leadership to see if sponsorship is an option. At this time, KIPP DC covers tuition costs for all accepted employees. Separate applications for KIPP DC staff and external applicants are located below.
Internal KIPP DC Applicants: As part of KIPP DC’s continued commitment to the professional development for its teachers and staff, KIPP DC covers tuition costs for all accepted employees.
External Applicants: The Fellowship in Special Education offers four tuition discounts that participants can take advantage of:
- Early Bird Discount: Fellows or LEAs who pay their $1,000 deposit by May 26, 2023 will receive a $1,000 tuition discount. The deposit and discount is per participant.
- Self-Pay Discount: Fellows who are not sponsored by a school or LEA can opt to pay their own tuition and will receive a $500 tuition discount if their tuition is paid in full by July 1, 2023
- Capital Teaching Residency Discount: Fellows who have successfully completed the Capital Teaching Residency and have completed or are on track to complete their three year teaching commitment qualify to receive a $7,500 tuition discount.
- Group Discount: LEAs who elect to fund multiple Fellows (5 or more Fellows) qualify to receive a $500 tuition discount per Fellow.
Please contact us if you have questions about the Fellowship in Special Education.
