DESE wants your thoughts on making the Autism Endorsement available (but not required by regulations) to general education teachers who are not licensed or working as special education teachers. Is this a good idea? Will it help support students with Autism or remove services?
Education wonks want to know! See the message from DESE below:
Dear Stakeholder,
We are reaching out today to solicit your feedback on the new Autism Endorsement. The purpose of the Massachusetts Autism Endorsement is to enhance the knowledge of educators working with students with autism.
When the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to approve the regulations for the creation of the Autism Endorsement for special educators it also asked ESE to investigate the expansion of eligibility for the newly created Autism Endorsement to general educators. This survey is intended to solicit stakeholder feedback on this potential expansion and on various options ESE is considering relating to the expansion. Please use the following link to provide your feedback: http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/2744987/Autism-Endorsement-Stakeholder-Feedback. You are also encouraged to share this link with any colleagues who would be interested in providing their input. This survey will be open until June 30th, 2016.
If you have any questions please contact Sarah Geldart at sarah.geldart@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3364.
Your input is greatly appreciated.
Best Regards,
Marcia Mittnacht
State Director of Special Education
Special Education Planning and Policy Development Office
email: mmmittnacht@doe.mass.edu
telephone: 781-338-3388
special education website: http://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/