[SE-Dir] ASD Specialization Alternate Pathway Announcement

[SANDBERG Ruby]

TO:  All District and ESD Special Education Directors

The message below is being sent to you on behalf of:


Nancy Latini, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Student Learning & Partnerships
______________________________________________
August 22, 2012


RE:  ASD Specialization Alternate Pathway Announcement

As you know, the Teacher Standards and Practice Commission (TSPC) has established an "Autism
Spectrum Disorder Specialization". This Specialization may be added to any special education
endorsement. To obtain the Specialization you must meet both experience (three years' experience
working with a range of ASD learners) and standard and competency requirements. For additional
information refer to http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_500/oar_584/584_066.html.

There will be two ways an individual may obtain the Specialization. The first way is to complete an
approved ASD higher education program. The second, and the one we want to invite you to
participate in, is the alternate pathway. Western Oregon University, along with other Oregon
university programs, in collaboration with the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder will be
initiating a pilot project to determine competence via the alternate pathway.

A portfolio will be submitted to document all required standard and competency areas. A number of
different sources of documentation will be required. Documentation may include performance
evaluations, observations, continuing profession development activities, written documentation,
coursework, professional and community service, and presentations.

A scoring rubric to determine standards and competencies and the required documentation is in the final
stages of completion and we are looking for candidates to submit a portfolio to be reviewed. It is our hope
that if your portfolio is reviewed and determined to meet the standards and competencies, TSPC will issue
your ASD Specialization once they approve the process. There will be a cost associated with submitting a
portfolio for the pilot that we believe will be approximately $300.00.

We have a tentative timeline for completion of the Alternate Pathway Pilot Project:
> September 5 - identify interested participants
> September 7 - provide participants with final details for submission of portfolio
> October 3 - portfolios due
> October 29 - portfolio reviewed and scored
> November 2 - submit data to TSPC, approval requested

It is our goal to assure that Oregon has a process for identifying and utilizing highly trained ASD
Specialists to guide programs for individuals with ASD. We hope you will be a part of this effort.

If you are interested in participating in this pilot and are willing to submit a portfolio,
please e-mail Angela Hendrickson (Division of Extended programs) hendrica at wou.edu of
your interest by September 5, 2012.

If you have questions, contact:
Mickey Pardew - pardewm at wou.edu and/or Marilyn Gense - mnjg at comcast.net<mailto:mnjg at comcast.net>

Thank you for your interest,

Dr. Hilda Rosselli
Dean, College of Education, Western Oregon University

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