RADFORD -- Two professors from Moscow City University of Psychology and Education visited Radford University this week to explore how U.S. teachers and professors work with students who have disabilities.

Marina Shumskih, doctor of pedagogy and head teacher at MCUPE and Elena Pryakhina, the deputy head teacher of scientific and methodological work at the Moscow-based university, met Monday with teachers and students in RU’s On-Campus Transition Partnership, and gained valuable insight into how the program works.

“We will take back to Russia the information we have gathered, and use our knowledge in hopes of creating a better educational environment and improving our students’ lives,” Pryakhina said.

The On-Campus Transition Partnership educates Montgomery County students ages 18-22 who have disabilities and are working toward a special diploma. Four of those students met Monday with the MCUPE professors and talked about the classes they take at RU, the jobs they have on campus and other ways they participate in activities at Radford. The On-Campus Transition Partnership helps students learn strategies to become more independent as they make their transition to the community and the world of work.

MCUPE is a three-year transitional school that educates with students with disabilities. Students can complete their final year of high school and two years of college studies at MCUPE. After graduating from the university, many students enroll in universities.

In Russia, schools must follow a stringent nationwide curriculum, which often is difficult for students with disabilities, Pryakhina said.

“We have such a great problem with the curriculum because some students can’t follow at the same speed,” she said. “We will report about your work with special-needs students and how efficiently your program at Radford University works,” Pryakhina said after meeting with the On-Campus Transition Partnership.

Pat Shoemaker, dean of the College of Education and Human Development, mobilized the college’s faculty and school partners in Montgomery County to provide a professional program for the visitors. The professors visited a number of Montgomery County schools on Tuesday.

RU history professor Suzanne Ament arranged the visit after she visited and lectured a year ago at MCUPE. Ament’s visit to MCUPE was part of an exchange program that brought Russian journalist Aida Soboleva to RU last fall. Ament also served as a translator for the visiting Russian professors.

RU is the only university the professors will visit during their trip to the U.S.