FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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CHARLIE CRIST
Commissioner
MEMORANDUM
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TO:
District School Superintendents
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FROM:
Betty Coxe
DATE:
August 14, 2002
BETTY COXE
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DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
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CONTACT PERSON
Name:
Phone:
Suncom:
E-mail:
DPS:
Doris Nabi
(850) 488-1570
278-1570
doris.nabi@fldoe.org
03-009
SUBJECT:
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Florida Professional Development Alternatives for Exceptional
Student Educators
In response to federal and state imperatives for highest quality teachers, and continuing demands
for appropriately certified personnel in Florida’s exceptional student education programs, we are
pleased to announce a comprehensive, statewide initiative for the design, development, and
delivery of specialized training for teachers of students with disabilities.
This training will support the proposed new Exceptional Student Education K-12 certification
coverage, and will focus on competencies in the areas of foundations; assessment and evaluation;
instructional practices, including an emphasis on reading; assessing, designing, and
implementing positive behavior supports; language development and communication skills;
teaching interpersonal interactions and participation; and transition.
Modeled after other online training initiatives of the Department,
Florida Professional
Development Alternatives for Exceptional Student Educators
will utilize online training modules,
in conjunction with mentoring and other local delivery options, to ensure that quality training is
widely available and accessible.
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
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http:/www.firn.edu/doe
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An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
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District School Superintendent
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July 31, 2002
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Page 2
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The training is designed for any teacher who works with students with disabilities, and other
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personnel who wish to improve outcomes for any student with special needs through increased
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knowledge and skills in the designated competency areas, including the following:
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Teachers assigned out-of-field in exceptional student education
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Teachers seeking initial certification in exceptional student education
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Teachers planning to take the ESE K-12 Certification Exam
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Teachers seeking renewal of certification in any area
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Teachers seeking targeted instruction to address areas of need indicated on annual
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performance evaluations.
Funded through a U. S. Department of Education Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant under
Title II of the Higher Education Act, this project is a collaborative effort of the Division of
Professional Educators, Bureau of Educator Certification, and the Division of Public Schools and
Community Education, Bureau of Instructional Support and Community Services. The project
will be coordinated through the Northeast Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC) in
partnership with the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System, the Exceptional
Education Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Professional Development
Partnerships, and other district, consortia, and university stakeholders.
Developmental activities are currently underway, with the first modules anticipated to be available in
the fall. For further information, please contact the project director, Mary Ann Ahearn,
Administrator, ESE Special Programs, NEFEC (ahearn_ma@nefec.org), or access the project website at
www.pda-ese.org.
We look forward to your participation in
Florida Professional Development Alternatives for
Exceptional Student Educators!
BC:dn
cc:
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District Directors of Personnel and Certification Contacts
District Staff Development Contacts
District Administrators of Exceptional Student Education
Administrators, Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System
Chairs and Contacts, CSPD Professional Development Partnerships
Chairs, University and College Special Education Preparation Programs
PLAZA LEVEL – 08, THE CAPITOL – TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 – (850) 413-0555 – FAX (850) 488-2869
€
http:/www.firn.edu/doe
€
An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer
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