Detroit partners with university to train autism teachers
Detroit Public Schools Community District partnered with Michigan State University to train special education teachers for students with autism.
Superintendent Nikolai Vitti noticed student numbers nearly doubled since the pandemic began affecting local education systems significantly. He believes this solution addresses the shortage of certified educators needed to support these growing student populations effectively.
The district pays tuition support while eligible teachers pursue an online master degree with an autism spectrum disorder endorsement. This program takes about two years to complete and helps fill critical vacancies within the current teaching workforce.
Michigan requires specific endorsement certification for disability areas unlike other states that use different licensing structures for educators. The district aims to recruit its own teachers to complete this specialized training program successfully.
Coursework prepares instructors to assess needs and design interventions while collaborating with families and school teams daily. Teachers learn to use visual cues and social skills instruction to promote student access and independence in classrooms.