No. CS/SB 206
Filed under Education.
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder; Requiring certain program participants at educator preparation institutes to complete the autism micro-credential; requiring each educator preparation institute to offer training on teaching students with certain disabilities; creating the Autism Educator Loan Forgiveness Program; providing requirements for teachers to receive an annual payment; revising core curricula for teacher preparation programs, etc.
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATEDAll teacher preparation programs must now include specific autism training and a new micro-credential. This requirement applies to every educator, not just special education teachers.
Special education teachers who complete a new autism endorsement and teach in classrooms where most students have autism can receive up to $17,500 in student loan repayment over five years.
School districts must provide at least one autism-specific professional development opportunity annually for all instructional staff and administrators, coordinated with local autism centers.
Teachers renewing their certificates must complete autism-specific training and the micro-credential by August 2027, though they only need to earn the credential once.
AIRequires every state-approved teacher preparation program to include specific training on evidence-based practices for supporting students with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, other developmental disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disabilities.
AIRequires each educator preparation institute to offer the autism micro-credential, and requires each state-approved teacher preparation program to include it, counting for at least 1 semester hour toward completion.
AICreates a program providing up to $17,500 in total student loan repayment assistance over 5 years to eligible special education teachers who serve as the primary teacher in a classroom where a majority of students have autism spectrum disorder.
AIRequires each school district to provide at least one autism-specific professional development opportunity annually for instructional personnel and school-based administrators, developed in coordination with the district’s assigned Center for Autism and Related Disabilities.
AIBeginning August 1, 2027, requires an applicant certified in exceptional student education to earn the autism micro-credential for the renewal of a professional certificate, counting toward 3 college credits or equivalent inservice points.
AIBeginning August 1, 2027, requires that instruction for teaching students with disabilities include autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, other developmental disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disabilities for the renewal of a professional certificate.
AIRequires successful completion of the autism micro-credential for a candidate certification in exceptional student education within the Coaching for Educator Readiness and Teaching (CERT) Certification Program.
AIRequires each educator preparation institute to offer instruction and training on evidence-based practices for teaching students with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, other developmental disabilities, and emotional or behavioral disabilities by August 1, 2027, as a condition for continued program approval.