Certificate Programs

ASSIST DC

ASSIST DC is the Co-operative’s 12-graduate credit special education assistant certificate program with Catholic University. The program is designed for paraprofessionals and teaching assistants working in charter schools. Course work includes special education 101, special education curriculum and methods, behavior management, and a supervised field placement.

ASSIST DC begins August 6, 2012 and ends December 14, 2012. Participants attend an intensive week-long course in August, then monthly full-day seminars and weekly online webinar through December. During the field work, participants apply what they have learned to their charter school classrooms and are provided with observations and feedback from ASSIST DC program instructors.

Applicant requirements:

BA/BS degree from an accredited college in order to receive graduate level credits. Applicants without a degree can apply, but will receive seat hours instead of graduate credits.
Employed by a charter school in the District of Columbia for SY 2012-13
Committed to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities

Program Fee: $2500 includes tuition and all materials - APPLY FOR ASSIST DC 2012

INCLUDE DC -New for 2012-13

INCLUDE DC is a 6 credit graduate course offered by the Co-operative with Catholic University designed for general education teachers working in inclusive charter classrooms. This course will emphasize a proactive approach to instructional design and planning for diverse student learners. Participants will use the history and evolution of special education regulation as a background for understanding why careful, purposeful, and proactive instructional design are essential components of a successfully inclusive classroom. INCLUDE DC also has a fieldwork component that will help teachers take what they learn in their course and apply it in the classroom.

INCLUDE DC begins in August 2012 and ends December 14, 2012. Participants attend a full day seminar in early August, then monthly 2.5 hour in-person seminars, and weekly online webinars after school hours. Teachers will also be observed in their charter school classroom by INCLUDE DC program instructors.

Applicant requirements:

BA/BS degree from an accredited college
Employed as a classroom teacher by a charter school in the District of Columbia for SY 2012-13
Committed to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities

Program Fee: $1300 includes tuition and all materials - APPLY FOR INCLUDE DC

Why ASSIST and INCLUDE DC?

In response to the District of Columbia’s growing charter school movement, children with disabilities attending DC Charter schools, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act’s (IDEA) mandate to provide children with disabilities free and appropriate education (FAPE) in least restrictive environments (LREs) the DC Special Education Co-operative has been charged by its 26 member LEAs to find innovative practices. A recent study conducted by the Co-operative, and commissioned by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), revealed that 96% of responding charter schools serve the majority of their students with disabilities using inclusion models. Because charter schools provide more special education services in the general education classroom, well trained instructional assistants are in high demand. With certified educational assistants, trained in behavior management and classroom accommodations, charter schools will be better able to provide high quality special education services (at reasonable cost) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE).

In August 2010, The Co-operative launched ASSIST DC. We have since graduated 2 cohorts of highly skilled special education assistants working in DC’s charter schools. Here’s what ASSIST DC participants have to say about the program:

“The ASSIST program has been a great opportunity for myself and my school… I’m confident that I am coming out of this program ready and fully prepared to assist students with disabilities.” – experienced classroom assistant and ASSIST participant

“Everything we learned we were able to go and apply to real classroom situations.” - classroom assistant and ASSIST participant

“I believe this is a great program. I have learned so much from this class. Being new to education and special ed, these classes have truly helped me a lot.” – Classroom assistant and ASSIST participant

“The ASSIST program has influenced my teaching in a very positive way.” – experienced classroom teacher and ASSIST participant