:: Professional Development

Professional Development Overview

In 1998, the Center for Social Development and Education began to expand its focus on research to include models of practice and professional development. These models came in response to changes in special education and growing demands on schools. Over the past few years, CSDE has developed two graduate certificate programs that link applied research findings to educators in our changing school environments.

Current Programs

Adapting the Curriculum Frameworks for All Learners Graduate Certificate Program prepares general education and special education teachers to manage the new education standards in diverse classrooms.

The Applied Behavior Analysis for Special Populations graduate course prepares teachers for the Behavior Analysis Certification Board national licensure examination.

(To review syllabi and further descriptions about each graduate certificate program, click on the links for each course to the left.)

Interactive Learning

These professional development trainings are available through a number of flexible models such as on-site presentations to a cohort from a school, district or geographic area. Online courses are also offered for those whose busy lives can more easily incorporate a technology-based presentation. Beginning in 2003, the graduate certificate program was offered completely online in addition to live cohort offerings. The ABA program is offered live and simultaneously to three additional sites through Interactive Television.

Impact

By the end of August 2006, approximately 100 educators, including teachers, administrators, and support personnel will have earned the full 12-credit Certificate for the Adapting Curriculum Frameworks program, and an additional 35 educators will have participated in one or more of the six courses. More than 150 practitioners have completed or are enrolled in the Applied Behavior Analysis graduate sequence.

Looking Ahead

CSDE is poised to expand its role in preparing teachers to work with children with disabilities in the inclusive classroom, and assist schools and school systems in responding to educational reform. CSDE will continue to reach out to teachers and staff in school systems throughout the Commonwealth by employing technology in ways that bring education to the teacher in the classroom. Drawing from corporate models of distance learning, CSDE will begin to experiment with new approaches for preparing teachers to meet the ever-changing challenges of the diverse learner in the urban classroom. Furthermore, CSDE will continue to find new ways by which to link research to practice and most importantly, how research and practice activities can serve as a model for graduate students who in their future roles as educators, will serve as the next generation of change agents.

For more information, contact Maggie Pantridge.