EXCEMPILS Scholar Opportunity
The Excellence in Multilingual Personnel in Illinois Schools (EXCEMPILS) training project is designed to address the need for highly qualified special educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists with specialized academic, clinical, research, and leadership preparation. The project prepares scholars to:
- Provide evidence-based services tailored to the educational and communication needs of multilingual students and their families.
- Engage in interprofessional, collaborative teamwork to support individualized and adaptive instruction for students with specialized educational needs, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), intellectual disability (ID), and Down syndrome (DS).
The goal of EXCEMPILS is to prepare exemplary, master’s-level special educators, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists to effectively support multilingual children with specialized educational needs.
The project is funded through a competitive five-year federal grant (2023–2028) from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.
- Occupational Therapy scholars complete their MOT degree and all required professional standards necessary to sit for the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination and to prepare for practice as multilingual professionals.
- Special Education scholars complete their M.S.Ed. degree in Special Education and the requirements to apply for the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Special Education Endorsement and Bilingual Approval.
- Speech-Language Pathology scholars complete their M.S. degree and meet the requirements to apply for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), the Illinois State Board of Education Professional Educator License (PEL), and the Illinois Bilingual Special Educator Approval to document their status as qualified bilingual providers.
EXCEMPILS Training Program
The comprehensive EXCEMPILS curriculum includes academic coursework, fieldwork and clinical practicum experiences across a variety of settings, research, and leadership activities.
Academic Preparation
Coursework emphasizes evidence-based practices for effectively supporting multilingual students and their families while promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to address specialized educational needs.
Fieldwork and Clinical Practicum
Scholars complete fieldwork and clinical assignments with multilingual learners who have specialized educational needs through the on-campus clinic and external practicum experiences.
Special Education scholars who continue working in schools while enrolled in the graduate program complete fieldwork and course assignments within the context of their own classrooms, schools, or districts.
Research
With mentorship from project faculty, scholars collaborate on master’s-level research addressing topics related to multilingual learners with specialized educational needs, including ASD, ID, and DS. Research and dissemination activities strengthen scholars’ leadership skills and their ability to contribute to ongoing professional learning and training in their respective fields.
Project Monthly Team Meetings
Scholars and project directors are required to meet regularly during Monthly Team Meetings (MTMs). These meetings provide opportunities for scholars to develop the designated project competencies through collaborative case studies, simulations, hands-on laboratory rotations, interdisciplinary assessments, and co-treatment experiences delivered through both in-person and distance-learning formats.
MTMs also provide opportunities for project directors to offer ongoing guidance, mentoring, feedback, and other forms of support throughout scholars’ training.
Additional Supports for Scholars
EXCEMPILS uses a cohort model in which scholars take classes, achieve program milestones, and progress toward graduation together. Scholars also benefit from the support of faculty and peer mentors.
Elmhurst University faculty are committed to excellence in teaching. Faculty have participated in training through the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) focused on evidence-based teaching practices. These practices include tailored instruction; active-learning strategies such as large- and small-group discussions, case studies, simulations, laboratories, and reflection; and assessment practices that provide meaningful feedback to enhance learning. Faculty foster a learning environment that values academic excellence, collaboration, and the success of all scholars.
Scholars also have access to Elmhurst University support services, including the Learning Center, Access and Disability Services, and the Wellness and Counseling Center. Project faculty work closely with these resources to support scholars’ successful participation in the program.
EXCEMPILS personnel are committed to the fair treatment of all scholars in accordance with Elmhurst University’s student rights and protections policies.
The final EXCEMPILS cohort has been accepted, and the scholarship opportunity is now closed.
For questions, please contact the project directors:
Brenda Gorman
[email protected]
The contents of this EXCEMPILS webpage were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this webpage. The contents of this webpage may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this webpage does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This webpage is not intended to represent the views or policy of, or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by, any Federal agency.