Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System/South
Serving Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties

PDA-ESE
Professional Development Alternatives
for Exceptional Student Educators

What is PDA-ESE?

The Professional Development Alternatives for Exceptional Student Educators project is a DOE initiative established to design, develop and deliver specialized training for teachers of students with disabilities. Addressing the new Florida ESE Competencies, PDA-ESE utilizes online training modules and local facilitators to provide statewide accessible professional development. There are eight (8) modules currently being offered: seven (7) of these are worth 60 Master Plan Points, and one is worth (30) Master Plan Points

Who are the PDA-ESE Modules designed for?

  • Educators seeking certification in ESE and preparing to take the ESE K-12 certification exam
  • Educators seeking to renew their certificate
  • Educators assigned out-of-field in ESE
  • Educators seeking targeted instruction to address aras of need as indicated on annual performance evaluations or in Professional Development Plans (PDP)

Each Module in the PDA-ESE program combines...

  • Research
  • Practical Application
  • Online Instruction
  • Varied Instructional Techniques
  • Self-Paced Learning
  • Assessment Tasks

The eight (8) models are...

  • Foundations of ESE
  • Assessment and Evaluation
  • Instructional Practices
  • Positive Behavior Supports
  • Language Development and Communication Skills
  • Interpersonal Interactions and Participation
  • Transition Process
  • Differentiating for Students with Reading Difficulties: Making Instructions Explicit
  • For more information on any of these modules, please contact Ms. Cynthia Magnus, Curriculum Support Specialist, FDLRS/South by email at cmagnus@dadeschools.net or call 305.274.3501. You may also visit the PDA-ESE website for a brief overview of the modules.

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