St. Vrain Valley Schools has been awarded a $235,683 Quality Teacher Recruitment Program Grant from the Colorado Department of Education. This funding will directly support the district’s Alternative Licensure Pathway to Special Education (ALPSE) program, which was developed to help address the statewide shortage of special education teachers and strengthen services for students with special needs across St. Vrain and neighboring districts.
The ALPSE program provides intensive, targeted support to education professionals seeking a Special Education Generalist License, offering two pathways: Initial Licensure and Added Endorsement. The program is open to both St. Vrain employees and out-of-district candidates, and can typically be completed in two years.
The program currently has 21 participants with increasing numbers each year. In the first year of the program, participants engage in 175 hours of dedicated professional development, learning side-by-side as they explore foundational topics such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regulations, special education processes, and best instructional practices for diverse learners.
The coursework is taught by highly-qualified instructional coaches who not only facilitate learning, but also work directly in the field with each candidate to offer targeted feedback, best practices, and individualized support. For those in the Added Endorsement pathway, this experience is further enriched through collaboration with a cooperating teacher who guides their growth inside the classroom.
When reflecting on the grant and its impact on the ALPSE program, Dr. Laura Hess, Assistant Superintendent of Special Education, shared, “We know the value of investing in our teachers and the impact it has on our students. Our goal is to continue to expand the program so teachers have more access to professional development which will benefit all students across St. Vrain.” This new funding represents an important step in supporting educators and enhancing services for students with a variety of learning abilities. As the ALPSE program grows, St. Vrain remains committed to developing high-quality teachers who are equipped to meet the diverse needs of learners across the district and beyond.