The University of Houston Embraces Hybrid Instruction
The International Component
Through contacts made with the ATC, UTPA students were introduced to a private school known as the Casetllo School, for approximately 25 children with autism, two hours to the south, in Monterrey, Mexico. In the spring of 2003, the Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC), an undergraduate special education organization at UTPA, voted to adopt the Castello School as one of their community service projects. More than $800 was raised from food sales on campus, donations, and yard sales, and two busses were chartered to carry over 65 club members to visit the Castello School with a multitude of school supplies. Later in the semester, over 20 graduate students, a local public school special education director, sign language interpreter and an employee of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) also visited the school. Both groups were accompanied by employees and board members from the ATC. Future plans include linking this facility and others with the REAP Project using IVT.