• Overview
  • Introduction
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Historical Perspectives - Inception and the Early Years (1999 - 2002)
  • Historical Perspectives - The Expansion Years (2003 - 2005)
  • Our Archives: A Listing of Courses Previously Offered
  • Comments from Past Participants
  • Data from the Field
• Virtual ESE Course Offerings
  • Summer 2008
  • Proposed Schedule/Course Offerings
• Participating Universities and Contacts
  • Locate a University Contact
• Technology Expectations
• Related Resources
  • Certification Information
• Home

Overview of Virtual ESE Online Program

The Virtual Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Online Program is a collaborative effort among the universities in Florida to provide courses in special education through an online delivery system. Faculty from across the state of Florida offer courses through the internet.

Beginning in the fall of 2007, the Virtual ESE Program will change its focus from offering courses that lead to ESE certification to offering courses that will assist teachers with obtaining an endorsement in Autism, Severe and Profound Disabilities, and/or Pre-K Handicapped. This change is an effort to support the Florida Department of Education with increasing the number of highly effective teachers and improving student rates of learning. The Florida Department of Education now requires that selected teachers of students with autism, severe or profound disabilities, and pre-kindergarten children with disabilities have specialized training. These teachers are now required to obtain an endorsement corresponding with the population they teach. For more information on the requirements for each of the endorsement areas, please click on the corresponding link below.

Beginning in the summer of 2008, the Virtual ESE Program in collaboration with the Florida Department of Heath, Children’s Medical Services, Bureau of Early Steps will offer courses that will allow participants to be eligible for the Florida Department of Health Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist (ITDS) certificate as well as the Florida Department of Education Pre-K Disabilities endorsement. The state of Florida currently requires that individuals working as Infant Toddler Development Specialists meet a prescribed set of competencies in order to serve children under Part C of IDEA. Click the following link to view the Summer 2008 ITDS Course Offering flyer.

Teachers wishing to pursue courses leading towards an endorsement in Autism, Severe and Profound Disabilities, Pre-K Disabilities and/or the Infant Toddler Developmental Specialist Certificate through the Virtual ESE Online Program will have the opportunity to not only interact with a broad array of university faculty, but also with classroom teachers from around the state. This unique opportunity is coupled with the convenience of remaining close to home and school site.

The Virtual ESE Online Program provides accessibility for teachers with busy schedules.

• Interaction between special education faculty, special education classroom teachers, and general education classroom teachers.
• Opportunity to pursue courses toward a Master's Degree while remaining close to home.
• Critical Teacher Shortage Area tuition reimbursement with successful completion of courses (contingent upon availability from the Florida Department of Education).
• Professional Development Partnerships tuition reimbursement with successful completion of course (contingent upon availability from Florida's Personnel Development Partnership and State Personnel Development Grant activities/funding).
• Program tailored to meet the needs of the busy professional.