Upcoming Courses
Virtual Full Facilitated Individual Education Plan (FIEP) Training for Educators
The Bureau for Exceptional Student Education (BESE) is excited to collaborate with FDLRS to bring Florida educators the opportunity for training in the FIEP Process. Facilitated IEP meetings are a process through which trained individuals establish a common agenda and keep the meeting focused and moving forward. Through the FIEP training, individuals who represent the district are given the tools to run and facilitate successful meetings.
Summer professional development has been coordinated for this worthwhile process. Please register today. Sessions have a 35 participant maximum capacity.
For additional questions, please contact Mary Ann Ahearn or 386-312-2265.
Virtual Full FIEP Training for Educators (August 16-20, 2021)
Attendance is required for all dates and times listed below:
- August 16, 2021 - 9:00am-10:00am, EST (Kick-off), and 1:00pm-2:00pm, EST
- August 17, 2021 - 1:00pm-3:00pm, EST
- August 18, 2021 - 1:00pm-3:00pm, EST
- August 19, 2021 - 1:00pm-2:30pm, EST
- August 20, 2021 - 1:00pm-2:30pm, EST
By the end of the virtual trainings, participants will:
- Have an understanding of the Facilitated IEP Process
- Have an understanding of how to facilitate both virtual and in-person IEP meetings
- Be able to plan and prepare for in-person and virtual IEP meetings
- Be able to use facilitation techniques to prevent conflict, and to resolve conflict where necessary
BESE Portal to Professional Development Alternatives (PDA)
FDLRS provides a variety of ways to earn inservice points. Free online professional development is available statewide through the BESE Portal to PDA. Facilitated Courses follow a posted schedule. Independent Study Courses are available year round .
- Technology for the Diverse Classroom (20 inservice credits)
- Instructional Practices (60 inservice credits)
- Foundations (60 inservice credits)
- Positive Behavior Support (60 inservice credits)
- Assessment and Evaluation (60 inservice credits)
- Introduction to Differentiating Instruction (20 inservice credits)
Technology for the Diverse Classroom (20 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Technology for the Diverse Classroom
Inservice Credits: 20 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: August 4, 2021 - September 22, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: August 4, August 18, and September 1. Online group meetings will be 5:00-7:00 pm, EST.
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Zoom for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Zoom room. Zoom does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online course content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 20 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about instructional technology, assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and Universal Design for Learning. Content and activities include how to determine appropriate tools to meet student needs and identify available resources to support district/school use of instructional technology, assistive technology, accessible instructional materials, and Universal Design for Learning.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education, are included in the Professional Learning Catalog in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the course, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions
Instructional Practices (60 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Instructional Practices
Inservice Points: 60 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: July 19, 2021 - September 7, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: July 19 (3:00-5:00 PM EST), August 4 (4:30-6:30 PM EST), and September 7 (4:30-6:30 PM EST).
View Course Syllabus
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Adobe Connect for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Adobe Connect room. Adobe Connect does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online module content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 60 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about how to select instructional practices which incorporate specific learning strategies and specialized materials to meet individual learner needs. Participants will also learn about analyzing educational activities to assist in the development and implementation of accommodations and modifications that allow students with disabilities to participate in the general curriculum in a meaningful way. Course content includes effective methods of communication, consultation, and collaboration with other educators, related services professionals and with families.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services, are included in the Master Inservice Plan in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the module, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Course Objectives
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions
Foundations (60 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Foundations of Exceptional Student Education
Inservice Credits: 60 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: July 15, 2021 - September 16, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: July 15, August 26, September 16. Online group meetings will be 5:00-7:00 pm, EST.
View Course Syllabus
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Adobe Connect for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Adobe Connect room. Adobe Connect does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online course content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your Course Syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 60 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge and skills about students with disabilities as related to state and federal legislation and case law. The course provides information about appropriate legal and ethical practices and different disability categories. The course content includes information on how to create a successful learning environment, the components and team members of the individualized education process and using models of support for students with disabilities to ensure success with the general education curriculum.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education, are included in the Professional Learning Catalog in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the course, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Course Objectives
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions
Positive Behavior Support (60 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Positive Behavior Support (PBS): Understanding Student Behavior
Inservice Credits: 60 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: July 15- September 27, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: July 15, August 17, and September 14, 2021. Online group meetings will be 5:00-7:00 pm, EST.
View Course Syllabus
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Adobe Connect for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Adobe Connect room. Adobe Connect does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online course content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 60 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course was formerly titled Positive Behavior Support. This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge and skills in assessing and designing behavioral supports and identifying the legal and ethical issues pertaining to behavioral strategies. Activities focus on identifying data collection strategies as well as on identifying and interpreting elements of a functional behavior assessment and functional behavioral plan. Information is included on how to recognize and use various models of positive behavior management.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education, are included in the Professional Learning Catalog in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the course, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Course Objectives
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions
Assessment and Evaluation (60 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Assessment and Evaluation
Inservice Credits: 60 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: July 20-September 17, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: July 20, August 10, and September 14, 2021. Online group meetings will be 5:00-7:00 pm, EST.
View Course Syllabus
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Adobe Connect for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Adobe Connect room. Adobe Connect does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online course content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 60 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge and skills in identifying the purposes, legal and ethical principles, appropriate formal and informal instruments, and alternate strategies for the assessment and evaluation of students with disabilities. Course emphasis includes interpretation and application of assessment results.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education, are included in the Professional Learning Catalogue in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the course, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Course Objectives
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions
Introduction to Differentiating Instruction (20 inservice credits)
Please read this description carefully before registering.
Course: PDA Introduction to Differentiating Instruction
Inservice Credits: 20 (Check with your district to determine if this course meets the SwD Recertification Requirement.)
Dates: July 14- September 19, 2021
Required Online Group Meeting Dates: July 14, August 3, and August 24, 2021. Online group meetings will be 5:00-7:00 pm, EST.
View Course Syllabus
Please note: Information and dates on this syllabus are subject to change.
Requirements for Online Group Meetings:
We will be using Adobe Connect for your online group meetings. Prior to the first group meeting, you will receive an email with a link to your course’s Adobe Connect room. Adobe Connect does not require any special software. You will need a computer with high-speed internet connection and a headset with a microphone.
Course Requirements:
In addition to online group meetings, participants read and study online course content, complete required assessment tasks and communicate with the facilitator regularly. Your syllabus will assist you in pacing your work throughout the course. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive 60 inservice points.
Course Description:
This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about proactively providing a universally designed and differentiated environment in order to maximize student achievement for all students. Emphasis is on the importance of having clarity about the learning targets and proactively adjusting instruction utilizing a data-based decision making process that considers students' readiness for the content, interests, and learning preferences. Content and activities emphasize how to proactively provide important, engaging, and appropriately challenging work via flexible grouping methods and utilizing a variety of instructional strategies and supports.
The PDA courses, developed by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student Education, are included in the Professional Learning Catalog in all Florida school districts. If you are not currently employed in education in Florida, it is your responsibility, prior to starting the course, to contact your former school district or private school agency to determine if they are able to submit inservice credits to FDOE for you.
Course Objectives
Additional Questions: Contact PDA Questions