Delivering Professional Learning
Trainers are required to deliver a minimum of 12 hours of professional learning using START content within a two-year cycle. Delivery of professional learning may include formats such as formal training, presentations at staff and admin meetings, and to parent and community groups, and facilitation of relevant communities of practice (CoP) or Professional Learning Communities (PLC) that utilize START content. Time can be tracked in increments of 15 minutes.
Current Trainers of START Content in more than one area (e.g., Essential Foundations, Early Childhood) are still only required to complete a total of 12 hours.
Ideas for delivering professional learning utilizing START content, materials, or tools (not an exhaustive list):
- 15 minute presentation on Peer to Peer at district principal’s meeting
- 1 hour after school workshop for paraprofessionals to practice using visual supports
- Full day professional learning for building coaches on universal supports and CETA
- Half day training for early childhood teachers focused on increasing learning opportunities and engagement
- Parent workshop on toilet teaching utilizing START early childhood content
- CoP for coaches in district around academic engagement
- Guided discussion on neuroaffirming practices at a staff meeting
- Sharing a tool from a START CoP and demonstrating its use during a grade-level team meeting
Non-examples:
- Training specifically based on a proprietary model (e.g., TEACCH, Pod, SCERTS)
- District compliance training (e.g., crisis intervention, health and safety)
- Peer to Peer training that is based on a helping model
- Compliance-based behavioral training
- Hallway conversations about implementation of an EBP
Completing Continuing Education
Trainers are required to attend 15 hours of continuing education within a two-year cycle from START-delivered or START-sponsored training events. This includes participation in a brief annual on-demand content update from/by START.
Current Trainers of START Content in more than one area (e.g., Essential Foundations, Early Childhood) are still only required to complete a total of 15 hours.
START-Delivered or Sponsored Professional Learning Options
- Professional Learning (not an exhaustive list)
- CETA series
- Coaching series
- Comprehensive Communication Supports and Systems (CCSS)
- EPLI Bootcamp: Early Childhood (including repeating series)
- Early childhood trainings
- Education-based evaluations and eligibility determination
- EPLI Bootcamp: Essential Foundations (including repeating series)
- FAPE in the LRE
- Instructional strategies
- Neuroaffirming practices
- Peer to Peer
- PFA-SBT courses by FTF Consultation (approved sites)
- EPLI Advanced Trainings (current trainer status is required to participate in Advanced Trainings)
- Community of Practice participation (up to 6 hours per 2-year cycle)
- RCN Leadership Day participation (up to 6 hours per 2-year cycle)
- START Speaker Series attendance
Non-examples:
- Professional Learning delivered by Current Trainers of START Content
- Conferences or professional learning sponsored by other organizations