SPRINGFIELD, Mo., August 28, 2025 – Drury University’s School of Education and Child Development and Springfield Public Schools are partnering in a cohort for the Drury Alternative Track to Special Education (DATSE) graduate degree/program. The program, in which paraprofessionals at select SPS schools are participating, began this summer.
All participants are following the same program of study, receiving tuition discounts, and collaborating throughout the program. Welcome items will be presented to the educators at their schools followed by a meet and greet in September.
“Drury and Springfield Public Schools have collaborated on many projects focused on teacher recruitment and retention over the years,” Drury’s Dean of the School of Education Natalie Precise said. “We enjoy working with districts to identify their needs when it comes to filling teacher positions.”
Six different SPS schools are involved in this most recent cohort. Those schools include five elementary schools – Bowerman, Bingham, Mann, McGregor, and Pittman – and Reed Middle School.
Recruitment was spearheaded by DATSE instructor Thea Scott, who advises the DATSE program and works with each student to identify their professional goals in addition to checking qualifications for the program.
“I am proud to be part of Drury University and a DATSE Program that is well-respected across Missouri,” Scott said. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Springfield Schools to host this cohort of educator candidates.”
Precise and Scott have collaborated with Dr. Christy Davis, Dr. Tanya Rapert, and Misty Ramsey from Springfield Public Schools on forming the DATSE cohort.
“Springfield Public Schools is excited to continue the collaborative partnership between SPS and Drury with the DATSE program,” Rapert said. “The DATSE program provides another avenue for current or future teachers to obtain certification in Special Education. SPS has had great success hiring students from the DATSE program as teachers and looks forward to more future applicants as a result of the partnership. If you are interested in teaching special education in SPS, visit the SPS website for current openings and consider applying.”
DATSE allows paraprofessionals to complete a Master’s Degree in Special Education while becoming certified in K-12 Mild/Moderate Special Education. Students enrolled in DATSE are eligible to teach on a provisional certificate while they work toward initial teacher certification. The DATSE program has a long history of training special education teachers for the state of Missouri. The program was established in the 2010-2011 academic year and has graduated over 130 certified special education teachers.
To qualify for DATSE, applicants must have earned a Bachelor’s degree while also meeting specific criteria. For more information, click here: drury.edu/graduate/education-masters/drury-alternative-track-in-special-education/
Missouri school districts can start their own DATSE cohort with as few as three educators beginning the program together. Classes for this program can be started any semester (Summer, Fall, and/or Spring). Reach out to Drury’s Education Department for more details: EducationGrad@drury.edu.
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Media Contact: Cris Belvin, Director of University Communications & Media Relations | (417) 873-7392 | gbelvin@drury.edu