ASD: The Autism Spectrum Disorders Endorsement, as described in State Board of Education Rule 6A-4.01796, Florida Administrative Code, Specialization Requirements for Endorsement in Autism – Academic Class, will be required by July 1, 2011, for K-12 ESE teachers with 100% of students on their caseload or in their class identified as having autism spectrum disorders. This rule, 6A.-4.01796, FAC., Specialization Requirements for Endorsement in Autism - Academic Class, outlines the requirements for the endorsement in autism. 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is among the most rapidly growing classifications in special education. The numbers of students diagnosed with ASD increases annually, and creates a need for teachers trained and endorsed to deliver instruction appropriately to these students. There are teachers in Clay County who either desire further training in teaching students with autism at the elementary or secondary level or desire to further their professional development by adding endorsement in autism to their certificates. Additionally, an endorsement program in autism will facilitate teachers’ acquisition of the skills and competencies needed to identify students with ASD, provide the required interventions, and assist the improvement of student learning and performance.

Clay County’s  Add-on Endorsement Program for ASD was created and implemented in 2010 in order to comply with the Florida State Board of Education Rule, 6A.-4.01796, to  provide the incentive as well as the opportunity for teachers to attain the competencies and the appropriate skills and credentials needed to effectively teach students with ASD.  

Gifted: Clay County District Schools provides services to gifted students in grades K -12. As a result of informed communication and consistent efforts to screen students, the number of identified gifted students have increased. That increase in part is a result of the continued implementation of Plan B to identify gifted students from underrepresented populations. With that increase, the district is committed to providing services at the student's school of residence which requires an increase in the number of gifted endorsed teachers. 

Clay County’s Add-On Endorsement program for Gifted was developed and implemented in 2010 to allow individuals to obtain the Gifted Endorsement certification from the Florida Department of Education in order to teach gifted within Clay County District Schools. Since initial approval, this program has continued without interruption. This program complies with Florida State Board of Education Rule 6A-6.03019.

The five add-on endorsement components required to complete this program are currently offered online through the Schultz Center and North East Florida Educational Consortium. In the 2020-2021 school year, the School District of Clay County plans to offer the FDLRS Gifted Endorsement courses to provide educators and administrators in Clay County with an alternative pathway to acquiring a gifted endorsement. These courses are specifically designed to meet Florida's content requirements for the Gifted Endorsement Program. The required training components are:

• Nature and Needs of the Gifted 60 hours

• Curriculum and Development for the Gifted 60 hours

• Theory and Development of Creativity 60 hours

• Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted 60 hours

• Education of Special Populations of the Gifted 60 hours

ASD: During the 2019-2020 school year there were 16  out-of-field teachers teaching ASD classes. In order to continue reducing the number of out-of-field teachers of the students with ASD and to continue to expand the pool of qualified and full-endorsed program personnel, the District Alternative Program for Add-on Certification: ASD Endorsement was developed to:

1. Meet the instructional needs of districts where there are not an adequate number of fully endorsed teachers of students with ASD.

2. Provide additional required training for teachers who have been hired from out of state who do not meet all of Florida’s requirements for ASD endorsement.

3. Prepare a pool of fully endorsed teachers of students with ASD who can be placed as the need arises for additional staff.

4. Provide quality and relevant training to teachers of students with ASD wishing to update their skills, knowledge and competence.

5. Provide instructional staff with an alternative means of acquiring certification ASD endorsement.

Gifted: During the 2019-2020 school year there were seven out-of-field teachers teaching gifted classes. In order to continue reducing the number of out-of-field teachers of the gifted and to continue to expand the pool of qualified and fully-endorsed program personnel, the District Alternative Program for Add-on Certification: Gifted Endorsement was developed to:

1. Meet the instructional needs of districts where there are not an adequate number of fully endorsed teachers of the gifted.

2. Provide additional required training for teachers who have been hired from out of state with certification in gifted that does not meet all of Florida's requirements.

3. Prepare a pool of fully endorsed teachers of the gifted who can be placed as the need arises for additional staff.

4. Provide quality and relevant training to teachers of the gifted wishing to update their skills, knowledge, and competencies.

5. Provide instructional staff with an alternative means of acquiring certification endorsement in gifted.

ASD: During the term of our previous Add-On ASD Endorsement, from 2015-2020, approximately 35 educators completed the endorsement courses offered through the district. 

Gifted: During the term of our previous Add-On Endorsement for Gifted, from 2015-2020, approximately 30 educators completed the endorsement modules through either the Schultz Center or NEFEC and were able to add the endorsement to their professional certificate. The total cost out-of-pocket for educators to acquire their gifted endorsement from NEFEC is currently $1,500. The out-of-pocket cost through the Schultz center has ranged from $925  to $1,075. Due to the excessive out-of-pocket cost, very few educators pursue this endorsement leaving Clay County with an extremely limited pool of endorsed and highly qualified/effective educators prepared to serve gifted students in both the gifted and general education settings. This also leads to an average of five to seven out-of-field teachers each year.

ASD: Implementing the ASD Endorsement modules from FDLRS in addition to our current ASD Add-on Endorsement plan will allow the School District of Clay County to offer an additional avenue for teachers to complete the courses at no out-of-pocket cost. The cost to the district will be three stipends yearly for the facilitators. Modules will be offered over a two year period and will provide opportunities for self-contained, general education and inclusion  teachers to receive the quality and relevant training to update their skills and knowledge for teaching students with ASD. This will provide the School District of Clay County with an adequate pool of endorsed and highly qualified/effective educators to serve students with ASD in both the self-contained and general education classroom. 

Gifted: Implementing the Gifted Endorsement modules from FDLRS will allow the School District of Clay County to offer the Gifted Endorsement to teachers and administrators at no out-of-pocket cost. The cost to the district will be three stipends yearly for the facilitators. Modules will be offered over a two year period and yield a program completion rate of 40-60 educators throughout the course of our next Add-On Endorsement period, potentially doubling the number of program completers from 2020-2025. This will provide the School District of Clay County with an adequate pool of endorsed and highly qualified/effective educators to serve gifted students in both the gifted and general education classroom as well as possibly eliminating the need for out-of-field teachers working with gifted students.

Goal 5: Develop and support great educators, support personnel, and leaders.   

Strategy 5.2: Provide ongoing training and support for teachers, support staff, and leaders.

That the Clay County School Board approve adding the Gifted and ASD Endorsements to the Professional Learning Catalog.