First and foremost, many thanks for your efforts to make the transition back smooth! Lots smiling faces as we forge into 2014. I like. I like. I'm writing with one quick update and a info on professional development opportunity. See below. Also, a gentle reminder that the first and last 10 minutes of each block should be pass-free.
Best,
Pat
Notices:
- On Thursday January 9, 2014 Life touch photographers will be at Brighton High to take pictures of all seniors for the yearbook. The cost for the picture is $5.00 and must be paid at the time of taking the picture.Appointment slips and payment envelopes for seniors will be placed in homeroom teachers boxes on wed morning . There is no makeup day scheduled. Thank You! LTC (R) Lee E. Fife
- Looking ahead, January 31st is job shadow day. We are targeting mostly sophomores. Mark your calendars! More soon.
PD Opportunity...
Massachusetts Licensure Academy – Spring offerings
There is a significant shortage of educators who are qualified to teach students with moderate disabilities (SwD). To address this need, the Massachusetts Licensure Academy (MLA) has been created to assist teachers with waivers earn licensure. The MLA provides graduate-level courses that address the competencies for the preliminary licensure of Teachers of Students with Moderate Disabilities. Increasing the number of qualified teachers for students with disabilities not only meets the goal of having all students instructed by effective and highly qualified teachers, but also improves the outcomes for students with disabilities.
Current offerings:
SE1: Federal and State Laws, Educational Terminology and the Role of Other Agencies Pertaining to the Education of Students with IEPs (f2f meeting on March 29, 2014 at Fitchburg State University)
SE2: Assessment for Determination of Education Needs, Curriculum, Services and Programs Including Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Other Assistive Technologies (f2f meetings February 22 and May 3, 2014 at Fitchburg State University)
SE3: Mathematics for Special Educators - Ceontent and Pedagogy. (f2f meetingsJanuary 18 and May 18, 2014 at Fitchburg State University)
General Course Information
All the MLA courses will include at least one face-to-face (f2f) meeting in addition to online discussions. Participants will be notified of the face-to-face meeting time before the course begins.
Courses are taught using the Moodle on-line learning platform. This forum contains several components including a virtual hard drive, discussion boards, personal storage space, survey tools, and email communication. Course providers facilitate the online discussion board as well as provide feedback to individual participants on course projects. Some technical assistance will be provided, but participants are expected to have basic understanding of the Internet and basic computer knowledge and skills. Participants must also have regular access to the Internet. The courses are asynchronous, and content is delivered through assignments, weekly readings and an online discussion board. Participants are expected to regularly attend class by logging intoMADESE Moodle and interacting with the course instructor and peers (posting questions, sharing reflections, discussing assignments, etc.). As these are graduate level courses, participants should expect to spend 6-9 hours per week completing coursework.
Participants will receive 67.5 PDPs upon course completion and will have the option to purchase graduate level credits through Fitchburg State University.
Eligibility/Criteria for Selection
- Applicant has passed the Communication and Literacy MTEL
- Completeness and quality of online application
- Applicants from targeted districts, including those supported by RTTT projects, will receive priority acceptance
- For SE1 and SE2
- Applicant has applied to the Department for a license in SwD,
- Applicant is the teacher of record for the license for which (s)he has made application,
- Applicant's district has received a waiver for the applicant (except charter school districts).
How to Apply
- Complete an online course application athttp://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/
1316425/MLA-Course- Registration-for-Fall-2013. - Fax or mail a completed District Assurance Statement
to Mary-Ellen Efferen at 781-338-3318 or by mail at 75 Pleasant St. Malden, MA 02148.
All parts of the MLA application (online application and District Assurance Statement) are due Friday, January 10, 2014. Classes are scheduled to begin on January 18 for SE3, and the week of January 20 for SE1 and SE2, 2014.
Participants who are accepted will be notified at least one week prior to the start of their course. Eligible applicants who are unable to be enrolled due to space constraints will be placed on a waiting list and notified. Wait listed applicants may be accepted as late as the first week of the class.
If you have any questions regarding the courses, please contact Mary-Ellen Efferen at mefferen@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-3373. For information regarding online access and accounts, please contactlmssupport@doe.mass.edu.
