Hello,
And so we begin a long weekend and the sun is shining. I do hope you are
able to enjoy the extra day for fun and relaxation. I thank all of you
who have taken the time to meet with me or email.
TWO ITEMS:
1. AASE - autism - first. Perhaps you are aware of the new AUTISM authorization.
Thanks to CTA, I have been aware of this upcoming change. I have been working
with Doreen to determine the District response. I attended the meeting
recently at Sutter County Office of Ed. The authorization is not
required, but a student with a primary disability of autism cannot be assigned
to a SPED teacher without the authorization. YCTA will bargain the
impacts and effects of this new authorization. More details below.
2. ORGANIZING TO DOCUMENT THE ADDED
WORKLOAD OF SPED. Please use the attached
time management sheets to provide me and the bargaining team with the data that
will help us build the case for the increased workload that results for special
education due to the mandates of IEP. We have attempted to address this
added burden at the bargaining table without success we have proposed remedies
that range from providing more time to more money as well as addressing case
load. We need your help to build the case. Our last proposal was an
additional percent stipend for SPED teachers.
Excerpts from the CTA Advisory:
As of July 2009, regulations creating Added Authorizations
in Special Education (AASE) went into effect. AASE are issued in six
specific subject area: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Deaf-Blind, Emotional
Disturbance, Other Health Impaired, and Traumatic Brain Injury. Each
authorization allows the holder to conduct assessments, and provide instruction
and special education related services to individuals with the specific primary
disability across the continuum of special education program options.
The AASE requires the completion of a California Commission
on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) approved program. The CTC has
changed its requirements so that in the future an autism authorization will be
embedded in all special education teaching credentials.
The CTC has issued correspondence to districts stating that
for teachers who hold an existing special education credential, it Is NOT
MANDATORY to earn an AASE unless a teacher wishes (See http://www.ctc.ca.gov/notices/coded/2009/09
16.pdf). At the same time, a teacher may not be assigned students
with disabilities for which the teacher has no authorizing document; if this
occurs the teacher is considered misassigned. By October 2013 any special
education teacher serving students with autism as their primary
disability must have an authorization for autism.
Information from Sutter County:
The SELPA will bring the training to our local area. The $500 cost will
be paid by the SELPA. Most teachers (assumes you have worked with a
autistic student) will be able to earn the added authorization by completing
two classes (30 hours of seat time) this summer and observations this
fall.
Impacts on YCTA Members:
YCTA will negotiate. Expect more information as we work through this
process. It serves the District for all SPED teachers to obtain this
added authorization and we expect that they will work with us to address the
issues associated with making that happen.
REMEMBER: YOU CANNOT BE REQUIRED TO EARN
THE AUTHORIZATION. LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS WORK FOR ALL
IMPACTED BY THE CHANGES.
Hang in there. We will work together to address the concerns and
interests of SPED teachers.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Dina
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