Professional Learning Modules

UTILIZING ONLINE LEARNING TO SUPPORT STUDENT, EDUCATOR, AND ADMINISTRATIVE GROWTH

The Georgia Department of Education is working to support and enhance professional learning statewide by developing a system of professional learning across the Division for Special Education and Supports. The creation of online professional learning will allow support and knowledge to be available online and on-demand to administrators and educators across the state giving them the freedom to take part in learning that aligns with their specific professional needs and availability.

All modules go through the process of identification of need, planning and content creation, recording and module creation, content team review and sign off, IT quality check within the PLO platform, and public release.

For more information about current and upcoming online professional learning modules, please contact:

Kris Rhee
Professional Learning Specialist
Phone: 404-657-9972
Email: kristen.rhee@doe.k12.ga.us

Accessing the Professional Learning Portal

All professional learning courses are housed in the MyGaDOE portal. District credentials are needed to log in and access the trainings. To access the trainings:

Go to https://portal.doe.k12.ga.us/login.aspx
On the main menu, select Professional Learning Opportunities (PLO)
The main landing page for PL will display an overview of all the courses available within the portal
In the Search Bar, enter the Course Title
To self-register for a course, click on the Register button
The registered course will then appear in the area Registered Professional Learning

In order to view a course, you must register for it. Once all necessary sections of the course are completed, you will be able to access and receive a certificate of completion. This certificate will download as a PDF and can be printed out if a hard copy is needed. To view your certificate:

On the main landing page, go to My Accomplishments and select Transcripts
This will display all of your completed courses and your Certificate ID
Click on the blue Certificate ID for the course you want the certificate for (it will automatically download onto your computer)

Please contact the Help Desk for issues regarding your Portal account.
If you need an account to access the GaDOE PLO platform, please contact your district’s Student Information System Coordinator for permission to the PL system.

Courses marked with an (*) are also available on the SLDS and/or the TKES/LKES platform. To access the SLDS:

Log into the District SIS or Student Information System
Access SLDS and then select the PL tab for the main landing page
The main landing page for PL will display an overview of all the courses available within the portal
In the Search Bar, enter the Course Title, Course ID, or Standard
To self-register for a course, click on the Register button
The registered course will then appear in the area Registered Professional Learning

Please follow the same directions provided above to receive your certificate of course completion.

Available Courses

High Cost Grant (Limited Availability) – The High Cost Grant funds will assist local educational agencies in covering the direct special education instructional costs of children with disabilities who meet the criteria established in IDEA 2004 and the system plan for GHCF. Approximately $3,000,000 will be available for distribution to local districts through the Grant for High Cost Funds.

This module expands on the purpose of the grant, explains eligibility criteria, provides due dates, discusses how to submit an application, and answers frequently asked questions. For more information, visit the Budget, Grants, and Consolidated Application page on the GaDOE website.

Residential Reintegration Grant (Limited Availability) – The Residential Reintegration Grant can assist a school system with full or partial reimbursement to school district expenses for students served in a residential school and/or services to support reintegration into a school-based program. These services are funded to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for the most significantly disabled students.

This module expands on the purpose of the grant, details the grant's funding priorities, explains the criteria for application and residential facilities, and discusses how to submit an application. For more information, visit the Budget, Grants, and Consolidated Application page on the GaDOE website.

Understanding IDEA Maintenance of Effort – The purpose of this course is to: develop foundational knowledge of LEA MOE regulatory requirements under IDEA, review examples of the application of IDEA LEA MOE requirements to ensure appropriate implementation, and share resources to support IDEA LEA MOE implementation and reporting. It contains the following modules:

Basic Understanding of MOE
The Eligibility Standard
The Compliance Standard
The Four Methods
Allowable Exceptions Part 1
Allowable Exceptions Part 2
Calculating Exceptions
The Subsequent Years Rule
Adjustments to MOE
MOE Adjustments and Coordinated Early Intervening Services
Documentation

For more information, visit the Budget, Grants, and Consolidated Application page on the GaDOE website.

(*) Developing the IEP in GO-IEP – This course has videos, activities, resources, and quizzes that check for understanding. Upon completion, a certificate is issued to the participant.

The module starts with Logging in to GO-IEP and Navigating and Managing the Electronic Student File. Then, it continues with Completing a Meeting Notice and Completing an IEP. This may be helpful for new teachers or a good refresher for those who need it. If you need assistance, please contact your GO-IEP Program Specialist.

(*) Completing the Reevaluation Process in GO-IEP – This learning module is designed to be self-directed to show special education teachers, service providers, special education evaluators, and administrators how to complete the Reevaluation Process within GO-IEP including conducting a Reevaluation Data Review, Completing a Reevaluation Waiver, as well as completing the process when reevaluation is needed to update the IEP. For more information on this course, please contact Phoebie Atkins, Educational Program Specialist Data & GO-IEP Unit: patkins@doe.k12.ga.us

IDEA Equitable Services: What You Need to Know – This course is a series of training modules designed to help build professional capacity by enhancing your understanding and knowledge of providing equitable services to parentally-placed private school children with disabilities while meeting the regulatory requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. In the first module, key terms and concepts associated with IDEA equitable services are defined. Then, in later modules, the focus is on the regulatory requirements for local education agencies (LEAs) related to equitable services and proportionate share. The final two modules address frequently asked questions and provide resource to further support your implementation of IDEA equitable services after completing our training.

For more information, visit the Budget, Grants, and Consolidated Application page on the GaDOE website.

Utilizing the Child Outcomes Summary Process – This course is designed to prepare early intervention and early childhood special education staff to use the Child Outcomes Summary process to describe how children are doing on three child outcomes:

Children have positive social-emotional skills (including social relationships).
Children acquire and use knowledge and skills (including early language/communication and early literacy).
Children use appropriate behaviors to meet their needs.

For more information, please contact Micole Talley, Special Education Preschool/619 Coordinator: mtalley@doe.k12.ga.us

Nemeth Code Skills for Teachers— The purpose of this course is to provide teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs) a resource to practice or build skills in the Nemeth braille code. TVIs may not regularly have students requiring technical braille on their caseloads. This course provides a means to freshen or retain these skills by providing a guided course of study. Students benefit from having teachers who are skilled and comfortable supporting them in learning technical braille.

For more information, please contact Carson Cochran, GIMC Program Manager: ccochran@doe.k12.ga.us