DPSCD, MSU: new pipeline for special education teachers
DETROIT. Detroit Public Schools Community District and Michigan State University's College of Education are training current DPSCD teachers for an advanced certification in autism spectrum disorder education, a credential rarely offered in Michigan. Teachers get tuition support for 6 to 9 hours of coursework a week, in exchange for a six-year commitment to teach in the district.
The inaugural cohort started this fall. DPSCD superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti and MSU College of Education dean Jerlando F.L. Jackson are behind the partnership, which aims to produce 100 to 200 ASD-endorsed educators over the coming years. Autism diagnoses are up 175% over the past decade, and special education vacancies run nearly double those in other teaching fields.
DPSCD already offers $15,000 bonuses for special education teachers. The new MSU coursework adds training in applied behavior analysis for teachers earning the ASD endorsement.
This is a reader-friendly summary. The full story belongs to Model D Media — go give them the click.