1. A Statewide Professional Development Program for In-Service Teachers of Students with Autism: Project ACCESS Autism Credential
September 24, 2019
MO-CASE Fall Conference
Angie Dieckmann, Centralia
Cathy Roberts, Lakeland
Elizabeth Washington, Waynesville
Edna Herron Smith, Project ACCESS

2. What is PAAC
PAAC (Project ACCESS Autism Credential) is an intensive two year training program which is offered to in-service special education teachers to build their skills in implementing Evidence Based Practices for Autism in their classrooms.
It is open only to teachers who hold a Missouri Teaching Certificate in Special Education and who are employed as classroom special education teachers in Missouri Schools.
Successful completion of the 2 year training program leads to Project ACCESS Autism Credential.
Name will be listed on the DESE website as being so credentialed.
Didactic instruction is coupled with intense classroom coaching.
It is NOT a teaching certificate, per se.

3. Why Do This Kind of Training?

4. Who May Participate in the Training?
Practicing classroom teacher who holds a current valid Missouri Special Education Teaching Certificate.
Must currently be serving at least 2 students with autism in their classroom.
Selected and supported by local district special education administrator and building principal.
Teacher must be willing and able to complete rigorous graduate level academic work.
Teacher must be willing and able to respond positively to coaching.

5. Why Do It? For the District Build Local Capacity
Grow your own autism and FBA specialist.
Save money in the long run.
Grow your own autism and FBA Specialist
Serve kids better with Evidence Based Practices
4 1 day conferences (FREE) for the teacher and one administrator for every teacher registered.

6. Why Do It? For the Teacher Be a better teacher
Learn to deal with those challenging behaviors
Opportunity to develop an on-line learning community with people you get to know.
Face to face cohort meetings close to your home.
4 one-day conference with national speakers (FREE)
Get (cheap) graduate credit to move over on the salary schedule (optional)
Get listed on the DESE website as holding the Project ACCESS Autism Credential
Receive the Autism Certificate from the MSU graduate school
the four sequential courses (over the two years of this training) into a stand- alone “autism certificate” offered by Missouri State University. This will be noted on your transcript and will be in addition to the autism credential that will be noted on the DESE website.
One of the best things about taking credit for these courses (which have only one small paper to complete in addition to the regular requirements of the Project ACCESS training) is the price. It will be less than $140 per credit hour. Using these courses to fulfill the electives requirements or to get hours toward moving up on your district’s salary scale will cost you less than $420 per semester.

7. How Will it Work? Year 1 (2020-21) Semester 1 Structure
Summer Kick-off Conference
Monthly regional cohort meetings
On-line AFIRM modules and cohort meetings
Content
Survey of Evidence Based Practices for Autism

8. How Will It Work? Year 1 Semester 2 Content Structure
Monthly Regional Cohort Meetings
On-line Modules
Classroom coaching
Spring Conference (0ptional)
Content
Principles & Applications of Applied Behavior Analysis, Functional Behavior Assessment, & Behavior Intervention Plans

9. How Will It Work? Year 2 Semesters 1 & 2 Structure Content
Monthly Regional Cohort Meetings
Some face to face and some online
Intensive Classroom Coaching
Fall and Spring Conferences (optional)
Content
From IEP to Evidence Based Practice (EBP)
Applications of EBP in the Classroom

10. What Does It Cost?
The cost to the District is $250 per teacher per semester.
If a District registers 8-10 teachers and the District agrees to allow them to meet with their facilitator once monthly during the school day that district may send two of those teachers FREE.
If the entire $500 per teacher paid in advance for the first year you get the first semester of the first year FREE.
There is no cost to the individual teacher unless they choose to take academic credit…which will be less than $450 per 3 hour course (1/2 price)
The teacher will spend considerable personal time to complete the activities.
Staff coverage for teacher to attend cohort meetings and meet with coach.

11. What are District Obligations?
The District must agree to:
Pay the PAAC enrollment fee for each teacher.
Allow the facilitator/coach to observe in the classroom and consult with the classroom teacher
Support the teacher by allowing the teacher released time as necessary to meet with the classroom coach and to leave early once monthly to get to an after school cohort meeting on time, if necessary.

12. What are Teacher Obligations?
Complete the Project ACCESS on-line course “Introduction to the Education of Students with Autism” with 80% prior to July 15, 2020.
Attend the two day Summer Kickoff Conference in July, 2020 to be held in Jefferson City. (No excuses)
Complete the Project ACCESS “Autism Classroom Organization and Management” module on-line by July 15, 2020.
Complete all the assigned AFIRM modules with 80% prior to each cohort meeting.
Complete all assign reading prior to each cohort meeting.
Complete all assigned projects with 80% and submit artifacts to Blackboard prior to the assigned due dates.

13. When Will it Start and End?
Summer Kickoff Conference mid July 2020.
Semester 1 Early September 2020
Semester 2 Early January 2021
Semester 3 Early September 2021
Semester 4 Early January 2022
Whole project ends at the end of the Spring Semester 2021

14. What Do Teachers Think About PAAC?
Angie Dieckmann-Centralia R-6 School District
Cathy Roberts-Lakeland R-3 School District

15. What are Administrators Saying?
Dr. Elizabeth Washington- Director of Special Services, Waynesville R-VI School District
Dr. Sarah Marriott- Superintendent of Schools and Director of Special Education –Boonville R-1 School District.

16. When and How Can We Start?
Contact Project by phone or to express interest.
Registration will begin in March
Enrollment ends May 30 (may be a little flexible here)
Includes Teacher Letter of Intent
Includes District Letter of Agreement