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Mary Morningstar Ph.D., Associate Professor - (SPED)  • Special Education Website Director - Transition Coalition (Transition Coalition)
	Academic Degrees: Ph.D. , Special Education , University of Kansas , 1995 M.Ed. , Severe Handicaps , University of Maryland , 1989 B.S.Ed. , Special Education , University of Georgia , 1982 Specialization(s): Secondary special education and transition to adulthood, online instruction and professional development, and education of students with significant disabilities. Curriculum Vitae	Contact Information: 1122 W. Campus Rd. Joseph R. Pearson Hall, Room 540 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS  66045-3101 Phone:(785) 864-0682 E-mail: mmorningstar@ku.edu

Recent Work

Awards/Honors

• Association of Continuing Higher Education, Midwest Division, Award for Excellence for Transition Coalition online short courses (2008)

Editorial Activities

• Consulting Editor, Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 2007-present.
• Consulting Editor, Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 2006-present.

Book Chapters

• Morningstar, M., & Wehmeyer, M. (in press). The role of families in enhancing transition outcomes for youth with learning disabilities. In J. Patton & G. Blalock (Eds.), Transition and Students with Learning Disabilities: Facilitating the Movement from School to Adult Life (2nd Edition). Austin, TX: ProEd Publishers Inc.
• Morningstar , M.E. & Lattin, D.L. (2004). Transition to the community. In: C. Kennedy & E. Horn (Eds.), Including Students with Significant Disabilities: Putting Research into Practice. Allyn & Bacon.

Journal Articles

• Kim, K.H. & Morningstar, M. E. (submitted for review, 2007). Enhancing secondary special education teachers' knowledge and competencies in working with families through online training modules. Submitted to Journal of Special Education.
• Morningstar, M.E., Kim, K. & Clark, G.M. (in press). Evaluating a transition personnel preparation program: Identifying transition competencies of practitioners. Teacher Education and Special Education.
• Dove, S.C. & Morningstar, M.E. (submitted for review, 2007). Identifying facilitative characteristics and barriers to online learning in secondary special education coursework. Submitted to Journal of Technology and Teacher Education.
• Noonan, P.N., Morningstar, M.E., & Gaumer Erickson, A. (in press) Improving interagency collaboration: Effective strategies used by high performing local districts and communities. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals.
• Turnbull, A.P., Turnbull, H.R., Blue-Banning, M., Morningstar, M.E., Parent, W., & Poston, D.J. (submitted for review, 2007). Preparing students transitioning to adulthood to direct their own funding: Implications for research, services, and policy. Submitted to Exceptional Children.
• Morningstar, M.E., Clark, G.M., & Kim, K.H. (in press). Transition competencies of practitioners. Teacher Education and Special Education.
• Benitez, D. & Morningstar, M.E. (submitted for review, 2007). Transition service and delivery: A multi-state survey of special education teachers' perceptions of their transition competencies. Submitted to Career Development for Exceptional Individuals.
• Kim, K.H. & Morningstar, M.E. (2007). Enhancing secondary special education teachers' knowledge and competencies in working with culturally and linguistically diverse families. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals. 30(2), 116-128.
• Kim, K.H. & Morningstar, M.E. (2007). Online Inservice Training: Enhancing Secondary Special Education Teachers' Knowledge and Competencies in Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals.
• Morningstar, M.E. & Kleinhammer-Tramill, J. (2005). Professional development for transition personnel: current issues and strategies for success. National Center on Secondary Education and Transition Information Brief. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota.
• Kim, K. and Morningstar, M.E. (2005). Transition planning involving culturally and linguistically diverse families. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals.
• Morningstar , M.E. & Benitez, D. (2004). Critical issues facing youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities during the transition to adulthood. Arlington, VA: Council for Exceptional Children, Division of Children with Behavior Disorders.
• Gaumer, A., Morningstar, M., & Clark, G. M. (2004). Status of community-based transition programs: A national database. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 27(2), 7-25.

Online Products

• Noonan, P., Morningstar, M. E., & Clark, G. M. (2005). Assessment and transition: the big picture. [Online]. Lawrence, KS: the University of Kansas, Transition Coalition, Department of Special Education. Available at http://www.transitioncoalition.org/cgiwrap/tcacs/new/resources/presentations/index.php
• Morningstar , M.E. Kim, K., & Lattin, D. (2005) Best practices in transition and the IEP. [Online]. Lawrence, KS: The University of Kansas, Transition Coalition, Department of Special Education. Available: http://www.transitioncoalition.org/
• Morningstar, M., Tiemann, G., & Noonan, P. (2005). Working with families to improve transition services for youth with disabilities. [Online]. Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas, Department of Special Education. Available: www.transitioncoalition.org

Other Resources

•  Morningstar, M.E., Noonan, P.M., Lattin, D.L., & Clavenna-Deane, B. (2007). Arizona Community Transition Teams: Developing Comprehensive Community-wide Transition Systems Improve Results. Transition Coalition, Lawrence, KS: University of Kansas.

Presentations

• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, August). Best Practices in Transition: Getting from Compliance to Quality Services. Presented at the Illinois Special Education Directors' Conference, Springfield, IL.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, March). Best Practices in Transition: Getting from Compliance to Quality Services. Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond, VA.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, June). Collecting Data, Showing Progress; and Implementing the Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Requirements of IDEA 2004. Presented for the Arizona Community Transition Team Training, Phoenix, AZ.
• Morningstar, M.E. & Bassett, D.S. (2007, October). Developing Systems of Professional Development in Transition: Resources & Strategies. Presented at the National Summit for the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center, Orlando, FL.
• Morningstar, M.E. & Bae, S.J. (2007, October). Effective Practices during Transition: Does Preparation Make a Difference? Presented at the Division of Career Development and Transition International Conference, Orlando, FL.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, April). Getting to the Front Lines: Evaluating Comprehensive Personnel Preparation for Secondary Special Education & Transition. Presented at the Council for Exceptional Children International Conference, Louisville, KY.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, January). Identifying, Prioritizing & Action Planning Community Transition Resources and Needs. Presented for the Arizona Community Transition Team Training, Phoenix, AZ.
• Morningstar, M.E., Noonan, P., Frey, B., Ng, J., Williams-Diehm, K., Clavenna-Deane, B., Graves, P., Kellems, R, McCall, Z., Pearson, M. & Wade, D. (2007, October). Impact of Transition Preparation on Post-Secondary Success. Presented at the Division of Career Development and Transition International Conference, Orlando, FL.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, September). Implementing the Age Appropriate Transition Assessment Requirements of IDEA 2004. Arizona Statewide Transition Conference. Phoenix, AZ.
• Morningstar, M.E., Lattin, D., Erickson, A.G., & Kellems, R. (2007, October). Online Professional Development for Transition: Evaluating the Effectiveness. Division of Career Development and Transition International Conference, Orlando, FL.
• Morningstar, M.E., Noonan, P.M., Erickson, A.G., & Gilpin, B. (2007, October). Partnering with States to Improve Transition Services: Online and In-Person Approaches. Presented at the Division of Career Development and Transition International Conference, Orlando, FL.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, October). Postcards From the Edge: Strategies for Effective Transition for 18-21 Year Old Students. Day-long preconference session, Idaho Statewide Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Sun Valley, ID.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, January). School-Business Partnerships: An Overview. Presented for the Arizona Community Transition Team Training, Phoenix, AZ.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007, May). Using Online Training & Resources for Statewide Professional Development. Presented at the National Summit for the National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center, Charlotte, NC.

Websites

• Transition Coalition, The University of Kansas. http://www.transitioncoalition.org.
  The Transition Coalition provides online information, support, and professional development on topics focusing on the transition from school to adult life for youth with disabilities.

Current Grants/Projects

• Morningstar, M.E. (2007-2012). Project STELLAR. Missouri Parents Act, Kansas City, MO. $242,405.
  This project addresses the need for increased involvement of families during transition planning and across school and community systems. Project STELLAR provides training and information to enable individuals with disabilities and their families (including parents, adult siblings, and extended family members, as well as guardians and advocates) to participate more effectively with professionals from educational, vocational, independent living and rehabilitation systems. Through a collaborative partnership between Missouri Parents ACT (M-PACT) and the Transition Coalition, this project will provide information, training and technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, parents, family members, guardians, advocates and others.
• Morningstar, M.E. & Noonan, P. (2007-2008). Arizona Community Transition Team Training and Technical Assistance. Arizona Department of Education. Contract No. ED 08-00015. $59,989.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2004-2008). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Online Professional Development for Transition Innovative Research Competition. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. $539,907.
  This project intends to determine the efficacy of Transition Coalition online training modules for the development of practitioner knowledge and skills for planning and services. Furthermore, they will examine the addition of a community of practice for online training regarding the competency and frequency of transition activities. Finally, they will assess the needs of practitioners within online transition staff development.
• Morningstar, M.E., & Noonan, P. (2008-2009). Arizona Community Transition Team Training. AZDOE State Contract. $60,000
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• Morningstar, M.E. (2007-2008). Transitional Training and Technical Assistance. Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond, VA. SB 2765. $15,878.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2005-2009). The University of Kansas Secondary Special Education and Transition Leadership Personnel Preparation Project (KU-SET). Personnel Preparation USDOE-OSEP. $800,000.
  The KU-SET program addresses critical needs in education by recruiting diverse doctoral-level students and providing leadership coursework in transition personnel preparation, research in secondary school reform, transition policy leadership, and culturally-competent, consumer-driven practices. The program also offers research-to-practice internships to develop research and effective practices. KU-SET also places program graduates in leadership roles in personnel preparation and policy formulation.
• Morningstar, M.E. & Clark, G. M. (2004-2008). KU-TransCert Program: KU Transition Graduate Certification Program for High Incidence Disabilities Personnel Preparation. USDOE-OSEP. $800,000.
  KU-TransCert intends to support on-line training opportunities for the preparation of personnel offering secondary special education and transition services for students with high incidence disabilities. It addresses critical needs by for special education by specifically targeting candidates from diverse backgrounds and high needs areas. Although the program primarily serves the surrounding region, the on-line course offerings provide the potential for national implications.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2007-2008). Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. STE41892. $131,333.
  The KU Transition Coalition will provide services for professional development and technical assistance to Missouri Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) consultants and school districts. These services include regional and district self-assessment of transition needs, development and facilitation of an online communities of practice for the RPDC consultants to support and provide ongoing technical assistant, as well as a statewide COP for training and resource sharing. The Transition Coalition will be organizing online presentations from national experts and supporting an "Ask the Experts" forum via the statewide COP. In addition, the Transition Coalition will be providing online training and online short courses through the KU Special Education Department and KU Continuing Education to the RPDC consultants.
• Morningstar, M.E. (2006-2007). Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. STE41891. $88,287.
  The KU Transition Coalition will provide services for professional development and technical assistance to Missouri Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) consultants and school districts. These services include regional and district self-assessment of transition needs, development and facilitation of an online communities of practice for the RPDC consultants to support and provide ongoing technical assistant, as well as a statewide COP for training and resource sharing. The Transition Coalition will be organizing online presentations from national experts and supporting an "Ask the Experts" forum via the statewide COP. In addition, the Transition Coalition will be providing online training and online short courses through the KU Special Education Department and KU Continuing Education to the RPDC consultants.