Foundations of Special Education Course

The Foundations of Special Education program strengthens the capacity of District of Columbia educators to support students with disabilities through flexible, asynchronous learning. Participants build essential knowledge and skills by completing coursework on the Office of the State Superintendent of Education’s (OSSE’s) learning management system (LMS). Upon completion, educators can earn professional learning units (PLUs) and micro‑credentials. Review the course syllabus here.

Register for Foundations of Special Education

Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI)

The Special Education Endorsement Recovery Initiative (SEERI) provides current DC educators with a pathway to earn a special education endorsement by completing the Foundations of Special Education coursework (including micro-credentials) and receiving Praxis exam support. Completers can add a special education endorsement to their existing standard credential.

Eligibility: This opportunity is open to pre-K through grade 12 educators who meet all the following requirements:

• Currently serve in a DC public or public charter school
• Hold an active OSSE standard teaching credential in any subject area other than special education

Completion Requirements:

Participants must:

1. Complete the Foundations of Special Education coursework (four asynchronous courses consisting of 16 self-paced modules) with an overall passing grade of 70 percent or higher in OSSE’s LMS platform.
2. Demonstrate content mastery through on-the-job summative assessment activities resulting in the award of two micro-credentials.
3. Register for and pass the Praxis exam (OSSE will provide a Praxis voucher code).
4. Apply for the special education endorsement in OSSE’s ECIS 2.0 online portal (application fee reimbursed).

Eligible educators who complete the SEERI cohort program will receive:

• 32 professional learning units (PLUs)
• Two micro-credentials
• Praxis test voucher code (this will be sent upon the completion of coursework.)
• ECIS 2.0 fee reimbursed for special education endorsement application

Apply for SEERI here.

For questions, contact Angela Awonaike at [email protected].