Special Education Resources

In January 2013, SDEA and SDUSD reached agreement regarding the Added Authorization in Autism:

Special Education Information

Summary of Agreement

The SDEA Special Education bargaining team has reached agreement with SDUSD over the impacts of Assembly Bill 2160, which requires certain special educators to obtain an autism AASE. The settlement mandates that the following:

  • SDUSD will offer a reduced-cost program in which those special educators who are required by law to obtain the autism AASE can do so
  • Special educators are required to take 4 classes to complete the SDUSD program, but classes can be waived based on past coursework or experience
  • Member will receive three units for each course completed
  • The SDUSD program fee is $200 per class, but SDUSD must subsidize 60% of the fees (maximum $480 subsidization); and
  • If a special educator who is required by law to obtain the autism AASE obtained or obtains the AASE at an outside accredited institution, SDUSD will reimburse the educator $480, so long as the cost of tuition was not less than this.

The autism AASE is mandated by Assembly Bill 2160 for those special educators who work with autistic students. Those are: mild/moderate Education Specialists, educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Visually Impaired (VI) and Physically Handicapped (PH). Resource Specialists are not required to obtain the autism AASE, nor are general educators who may have autistic students in their classrooms.

Questions regarding whether you are required to obtain the autism AASE should be directed to:

Rene Largoza

San Diego Unified SchoolDistrict

Human Resources Services Division

Credentialing

619-725-8039

rlargoza@sandi.net

 Questions regarding the specific educational program to be offered by the District should be directed to:

Donna Rudford

San Diego Unified School District

Teacher Preparation & Induction Department

858-539-5330

drudford@sandi.net