What is the requirement for teaching students with disabilities?
At least one semester hour (20 inservice points) of teaching students with disabilities (SWD) must be earned during each renewal period to renew your certificate.
How can I view how many points I’ve earned in this validity period towards SWD?
Log into PowerSchool, click on the “Transcript” tab and choose the beginning date of your validity period for “Section End Date From” and “Section End Date To” and click “Search.” Scroll down to see the courses you have completed during the validity period entered. Confirm that all surveys have been completed to receive credit. The "Total" box displays the number of hours/points you have earned so far for each area. Training Hours do not count towards renewal.
If you have questions about additional credits that do not appear in PowerSchool, your school's bookkeeper or data entry clerk can access and print your "Workshop Attendance" transcript in SAP, or you may contact Professional Learning.
Which courses count toward this requirement?
Courses offered through DCPS listed as SWD in PowerSchool
Each of the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) Endorsement courses
Select FDLRS facilitated courses. Please verify course fulfills SWD requirement with Professional Learning before enrolling. Email Professional Learning
Independent study courses on the Professional Learning Alternative/BEESS Portal. The following courses are approved by DCPS for SWD credit:
Access Points: Alternative Academic Achievement Standards
Supportive Environments for Students with Disabilities (formerly Building Inclusive Schools)
Child Outcome Summary Process
Collaborative Teaching Partnerships
DeafEd Express
Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Pre-K Settings
Effective Teaching Practices for Students with Disabilities
Emotional/Behavioral Disability: An Introduction
English Learners
Increasing Outcomes for All Pre-K Children
Integrating Student Services for All Students (formerly for Inclusive Schools)
Language/Reading Connection for Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Leadership to Support Students with Disabilities) (formerly for Inclusion of Students with Disabilities)
Math Difficulties, Disabilities, and Dyscalculia
Positive Behavior Intervention Support and the Classroom
Reading Difficulties, Disabilities, and Dyslexia also counts toward reading requirement
Secondary Planning for Students with Disabilities (formerly Secondary Transition)
Science of Reading PLA Course also counts toward reading requirement
Strategies to Support PreK Activities and Routines
Structured Literacy through a Multi-Sensory Approach also counts toward reading requirement
Teaching Students with Disabilities in the Content Areas
Teaching Students with Disabilities in the Special Areas (formerly in the Fine Arts)
Teaching Students with Disabilities for Physical Education
Usher Syndrome Screening
Please note that teachers cannot receive in-service points towards renewal for completing the same ASD, ESOL, Reading, Ed Leadership, Gifted or SWD course that was completed previously.