Mesa County Valley School District 51

Position Type:

Support Staff - Other/Grow your Own

Date Posted:

3/8/2024

Location:

TBD

SPED Endorsement Incentive Program (2024-25 School Year)

Description:

D51’s Special Education (SPED) department is selecting up to 15 D51 employees (includes support staff, licensed staff, and substitute staff) for the school year 2024-25 that are in pursuit of their SPED teaching endorsement (Special Education Generalist or Early Childhood Special Education) or SPED Specialist endorsement (Deaf and Hard of Hearing or Visually Impaired)! D51’s SPED Endorsement Incentive Program will be reviewed yearly depending on need and budget allowance.

Job Summary:

D51’s SPED Endorsement Incentive Program is designed to cultivate the talents of eligible D51 employees who are vested in our community and interested in becoming a special education teacher with D51. D51 will be providing $6,000 in financial assistance for D51 employees that take part in an Alternative Licensure, Temporary Educator Eligibility (TEE), or added endorsement program in pursuit of Special Education Licensure. 

Application Procedure:

Candidates are only selected once you have completed all of the following:

1. Accepted a SPED certified position at D51 for the school year 2024-25

2. Hold an active Alternative License / Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization in either Special Education Generalist / Early Childhood Special Education / Deaf and Hard of Hearing / Visually Impaired

3. Completed and submitted an application for the SPED Endorsement Incentive Program in the D51 Application system.

Completing all steps above does not guarantee participation in the SPED Endorsement Incentive Program.

Payout:

Candidates selected to receive SPED funding for alternative licensure, TEE, or an added endorsement program will need to remain in a SPED certified teaching position for 3 school years to receive the complete funding.

o $4,000 for year 1, paid in the first paycheck following their contract effective date

o $1,000 for year 2, paid throughout year two

o $1,000 for year 3, paid throughout year three

If a candidate decides to drop the program or does not remain in a qualified SPED position as mentioned above, subsequent funding will stop. 

Goal:

This program is aimed to help address SPED teacher shortages and promote a culture in D51 that is inclusive and supportive of our D51 special education students.

Selection:

All eligible D51 employees that meet the criteria are encouraged to apply for assistance. 

There will be priority given for applicants who submit an application who meet the below criteria:

(This list is in no specific order)

• Minority candidates
• Candidates selected for SSN/SNA/SNB classrooms
• Candidates selected for SPED Deaf and Hard of Hearing or Visually Impaired positions

You may still apply but not be given preference if you are one of the following:

• Not a minority candidate
• Selected for Moderate Needs position

For D51 employees to be considered for the program you must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Have been employed with the district for a minimum of the last 90 contact days the previous year;
• Not be on an improvement plan
• Accepted a SPED teaching position in D51 (a position that requires either a SPED Generalist OR Early Child Special Education certification) OR a position that requires a SPED specialist certification (Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and (Visually Impaired)

For Substitutes to be considered for the program you must:

• Hold a BA degree, and 3 or 5 year sub license
• Substituted atleast 120 sub assignments during the 2021-22 school year
• Have been an active substitute for at least one school year 

To be eligible as a D51 employee you must meet the following requirements:

• Meet the minimum requirements of the Alternative Licensure Program (or added endorsement program) OR Temporary Educator Eligibility Program
• Or have a current teaching license completing an added SPED endorsement program.

Alternative Licensure info: (http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/altteacheroverview) 

Temporary Educator Eligibility info:(https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/authorization_tee_faq)

• To become qualified for an alternative licensure / added endorsement program for the SPED Generalist and Early Childhood SPED:
• Have a completed Bachelors Degree
• Before Oct 1, 2021, have a passing score on the Elementary Education content tests:
• Praxis 5354
• OR as of or After Oct. 1, 2021 you must have of a passing score on the Elementary Education content tests including:
• Praxis 5901 or it’s subtests Praxis 5903/5904/5905 or Praxis 5003/5004/5005

OR

• Enroll in a traditional program that supports a Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization.
• Some programs support Special Education licensure without requiring passage of praxis exams prior to enrolling. You will need to confirm with your program that the program will support a Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization.

o Apply and accept a SPED certified position in District 51

Position must require either a Special Education Generalist / Early Childhood Special Education / Deaf and Hard of Hearing / Visually impaired certification.

o Notify CDE of position by submitting the requisite documentation through their eLicensing account to include:

• Completed Statement of Assurance (Alt Licensure/added endorsement) / Temporary Educator Eligibility Authorization (TEE)
• Signed by District

Copy of contract to obtain Alt License / TEE

• Being approved for an Alternative Teaching License / Temporary Educator Eligibility / Added Endorsement Program is not a guarantee of being selected to receive the $6,000 assistance

Apply Online

If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact

Carter Ness @ 970-254-5136 or extension 11131

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