Special Education TK-12

This Certificate of Achievement in Special Education TK (transitional kindergarten) -12 builds on the Special Education Certificate of Accomplishment to build knowledge, skills and abilities related to inclusive and special education in TK-12 settings working with children 4-18 years old. This certificate completes additional educational requirements for Special Education teaching assistant positions and is part of a pathway towards earning a Special Education and/or Multiple Subjects Teaching Credential to teach in TK-5 classrooms. Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this program, students will be able to: -Differentiate stages of child growth and development, with particular emphasis on typical and atypical development. -Examine the role of families and communities in the lives of children and youth, particularly children and youth with special needs. -Describe developmentally appropriate practices for the inclusion of children with special needs in TK-12 settings. -Categorize sensory and learning challenges in TK-12 aged children and identify strategies to address them.

We currently project about 5 students per year will earn this certificate.

The goal of this program is to build the pipeline of current Special Education paraprofessionals and future Special Education teachers. Both areas have severe shortages. For example, San Francisco Unified School District currently (March 2018) has over 45 openings for Special Education paraprofessionals. The January 2018 LMI index lists Childcare workers and Teachers Assistants (entry level CDEV jobs) as two of the top 50 occupations with the most job openings in SF and San Mateo. In the Bay Region alone, the COE Bay Region Educational Employment Report, the Bay Region expects 8,156 openings in various Special Education categories. This Certificate is an important part of our Special Education Program, which works to inspire, recruit and support special educators. Currently a main focus of the program is engagement with the Pre-Para-to-Teacher pathway workgroup, working on alignment of education, labor needs and quality training/support with labor and industry partners (including SFUSD, SFSU, UESF and CBOs).

Required Courses: CDEV 53 - Child Growth and Development 3.00 CDEV 67 - Child, Family, and Community 3.00 CDEV 120 - Special Education TK-12 3.00 CDEV 150 - Orientation to K-12 Education 3.00 Total: 12.00 Choose one of the following courses: CDEV 95 - School-Age Child Care Curriculum 3.00 CDEV 97 - School Age Growth & Development 3.00 Total: 3.00 Choose three of the following one-unit courses: CDEV 121 - Children with ADHD 1.00 CDEV 122 - Social Emotional Differences K-12 1.00 CDEV 123 - Learning Disabilities 1.00 CDEV 124 - Individualized Education Programs 1.00 Total Electives: 3 units

As shared above, this certificate fills a need for special education training and support, for those exploring the field, current para professionals and current general and special education teachers in the district.

We do not anticipate an impact on other colleges because other area colleges do not currently offer a Special Education Certificate with a TK-12 focus. We currently offer an Early Intervention Special Education Certificate of Achievement, and Skyline also offers an Early Childhood Special Education certificate.