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Polk staff seek renewal of district autism endorsement program that trained hundreds of educators since 2020
Summary
District staff recommended renewing a Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLERS) autism endorsement program that the district has run since 2020; staff said the endorsement supplies instructors for students with autism and is free to the district through FDLERS but that no direct financial incentive currently exists for teachers.
Polk County School District staff recommended renewing a district-run autism spectrum disorder (ASD) endorsement program — run in partnership with the Florida Diagnostic Learning Resource System (FDLERS) — that trains teachers in ASD strategies and awards an endorsement on state certification.
Jennifer Rouse, senior director of professional development, briefed the board on April 8 and said the endorsement program began in 2020 and runs in three rigorous modules, each worth 80 in-service points and including field experiences. The district uses the statewide FDLERS course materials and a blended model with synchronous orientation sessions plus asynchronous work. As Rouse said, the program “increases the level of knowledge and expertise and helps the district develop a pool of qualified personnel” who can support students with autism.
Rouse told the board the endorsement is recognized by the state and that completion results in an ASD endorsement on a teacher’s certificate. She said the training supports inclusive learning strategies, communication approaches, assistive technology and transition planning and that instructors track student impact. Rouse also said a substantial number of Polk educators have completed the endorsement since 2020; she reported that “FDLERS has had 452 educators participate” in the endorsement program across Polk.
Board members asked whether the district offers pay incentives tied to the endorsement. Rouse said there is currently no automatic monetary incentive attached to program completion; district staff said they would discuss possible local incentives with the Polk Education Association and explore whether endorsement hours could be recognized in the district salary schedule or professional-advancement lanes.
Staff recommended that the board approve renewal of the endorsement program and submit the required review materials to the state for the next five-year window; board action on renewal was presented as an information item for future board consideration.
