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  • Summer 2011
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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I register for Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate courses?
   To participate in this program, participants must be a Florida resident, and must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in early childhood education or early childhood/special education, child and family development, family life specialist, communication sciences, psychology or social work.
   
   Program approval must be obtained through your Local Early Steps office. Click on the following link for a list of Local Early Steps contacts:
   http://www.cms-kids.com/home/contact/earlysteps.pdf.
   
   There are only 20 slots per course, per semester available to eligible students; enrollment is on a “first come, first serve” basis. Your Local Early Steps will designate the University where you should enroll and register. After the registration deadline, enrollment and tuition support will be confirmed by your receipt of a “Welcome” email.
2. Where do we access the syllabus and other information about these classes?
   The course instructor will send you information about the course and a syllabus prior to the course start date.

1. What is the cost of these courses Virtual ESE Distance Learning Program?
   Students currently pay regular graduate level tuition to the university where they register. Currently, graduate level tuition is approximately $250 per credit hour. Each course is three (3) credit hours.
2. What type of financial assistance is available?
   Tuition support is provided to ITDS students who have been preapproved through their Early Steps office. The assistance pays only tuition, not to include fees. However, there is a service obligation requirement if financial assistance is accepted.
   
   For a list of information on both regional, state, and federal financial assistance programs that are available to educators in Florida, please visit:
   http://www.florida-ese.org/personneldevelopment/uco/financial_assistance.aspx .

1. How often are the classes offered?
   At least one course in each endorsement/certificate area is offered each semester through the Virtual ESE Online Distance Learning Program (Fall, Spring, Summer).
2. Will all of the courses needed be offered through this Virtual ESE Distance Learning Program? 
   Yes, at least one course is offered each semester through the Virtual ESE Distance Learning Program.
3. When does the first class start?
   Generally,
• Fall semester courses start at the end of August
• Spring semester courses start at the beginning of January
• Summer semester courses start at the end of April or beginning of May
4. Who do I contact for more information about the distance learning program?
   For more information, contact Julie Crosby at (772) 462-7187 or via email at jcrosby@irsc.edu.
5. What are the requirements to become an Infant Toddler Development Specialist?
   The state of Florida currently requires that individuals working as Infant Toddler Development Specialists meet a prescribed set of competencies in order to serve children under Part C of IDEA. The coursework is only one of several required competencies needed to complete the ITDS certification process through DOH. Interested participants must meet the DOH requirements and be approved by the Local Early Steps Office prior to registering for courses.
6. Can these courses be used to meet the requirements for the Pre-K Disabilities endorsement?
   Yes. For specific details on course requirements, visit
   http://www.florida-ese.org/personneldevelopment/uco/endorsements.aspx .
7. How do I add the Pre-K Disabilities endorsement to my Florida Professional Certificate?
   To learn how to add an endorsement to a valid Florida Professional Certificate, please visit the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification online at http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/adding.asp.
8. Is having an endorsement the same as being certified?
   No. An endorsement is a rider on a Florida certificate with full subject coverage and denotes a particular expertise in an instructional level or methodology. An endorsement cannot stand alone on a certificate.

 

1. Once the endorsement is obtained, is that the same as being certified?
   An endorsement is a rider on a Florida certificate with a full subject coverage and denotes a particular expertise in an instructional level or methodology. An endorsement cannot stand alone on a certificate.  For more information, visit "Adding a Subject Area or Endorsement to a Certificate" at http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/adding.asp.
   
2. How do I add an endorsement to my Florida Professional Certificate?
   To learn how to add an endorsement to a valid Florida Professional Certificate, please visit the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification online at http://www.fldoe.org/edcert/adding.asp. To add an endorsement to a valid Florida Professional Certificate you must:
   1. Submit a completed Application Form CG-10 (a complete application form includes appropriate processing fee), and
   2. Meet specialization in the subject you wish to add.
   
   Subject Specialization for an endorsement is met in one of two ways:
   • Complete the course requirements listed in State Board Rule for the endorsement, or
   • Complete a Florida school district's approved in-service add-on program for the endorsement (contact your district staff development office for more information).