• There will be 6 graduate level courses taught through Texas Woman's University that will include audiology, language development, literacy, and differentiated instruction for deaf/hard of hearing students.
• Personalized ongoing coaching as you transition into teaching DHH students.
• Comprehensive training in American Sign Language and Deaf culture.

• Completion of a bachelor's degree and Texas teacher certification 
• Prefer minimum 3 years teaching experience
• Mandatory Orientation June 3-6, 2026 in Lubbock, TX
• Each applicant must secure sponsorship from an educational entity (e.g., RDSPD, school district, charter school, Shared Service Arrangement) and maintain sponsorship throughout the program
• Mandatory commitment to learning American Sign Language
• Intermediate sign language skills OR TWU ASL course(s) as determined by CODE administrators
• High speed internet with webcam and microphone
• Within 6 months of completion, taking the TExES 181 DHH certification exam through the TEA teacher certification website (Not affiliated with TWU or Esc17; Free!)
• Within 12-24 months… of completion, taking the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication - TASC* (Free!)
• Upon completion of the program, accepting a job with the sponsoring entity or another school entity and remaining in the field of DHH for two years minimum**

1. Qualified individuals will fill out the Grant application beginning January 16, 2026
2. Items needed:
   • General information
   • $50 application fee
   • Letter of recommendation from 2 school administrators
   • Copy of teaching certificate
   • Indication of sponsorship or probable sponsorship entity
3. Application window will close March 25, 2026 at midnight; decisions will go out by April 2, 2026.

• Tuition costs for graduate courses
• Books or stipend for books
• Travel reimbursement for Orientation in Lubbock TX, June 2026
• Face to face meetings each semester to provide support and assistance
• Opportunities to meet RDSPD staff and people within the DHH field
• Support of former cohort members working in the DHH field through one-on-one or small group mentoring, finding local contacts, providing resources, and sharing training opportunities

• A Project CODE selection committee will decide applicant acceptance.
• The Selection Committee will meet, score, and discuss potential candidates. Telephone or ZOOM interviews may be used during this process.
• Important elements are whether the individual has a strong sponsorship, good work ethic, the local area of need, sign skills or commitment to sign skills, and administrative recommendations.
• Applicants will be notified by ESC-17 either way on April 2,2026.
• If selected, the scholar will then apply to Texas Woman’s University. There is a $50 application fee (self-pay). TWU will need a certified copy of college transcripts. TWU will help students register for correct courses and provide support for academic assignments.

We are requiring a sponsoring entity for this Grant. This may be an RDSPD, a public school, a charter school, a School District, or a Shared Service Arrangement. The sponsoring entity will:

• Verify a need for a DHH teacher in their area
• Allow the graduate student access to observation and training opportunities of up to two full days without penalty
• Work with the graduate student to secure a job after completion of the program

An entity may sponsor more than one student as long as the need is justified by position shortages that the sponsoring entity can reasonably fill.

• * We will highly encourage all applicants to attain signing abilities and take the TASC. If the sponsoring entity is a small/rural area or can show evidence of the express need for an Itinerant teacher, the TASC requirement will be left to the discretion of the sponsoring entity. All other students should prepare for and commit to taking the TASC within 12-24 months of completion of the program.
  
  
• ** Upon completion of the program, students must maintain employment within the field of DHH for a minimum of two years or they may be required to repay the cost of tuition for the program.