[senco-forum] Specialist teacher

My understanding is that PATOSS is simply a professional body that you are eligible to apply to once you have completed a recognised course of study; associate membership of the BDA is rather more than this (not just a case of signing up) - it is what it says on the tin, an accreditation. The BDA has an accrditation system for assessing the quality of courses on offer across a range of institutions. I do believe there is a difference - subtle I guess!

Sheridan <sheridan.sharp1 at btinternet.com> wrote:  Hi Sharon,

I don't disagree with your point. I made the point about non- credited
courses because, when I qualified, the accreditation to the BDA was a fairly
new procedure and not many now recognised courses were accredited. So my
experience is that the level of knowledge I gained was from a non accredited
course. The course I did was excellent and in fact was more demanding and
intense than many other similar courses. I had to apply for AMBDA status a
few years after I got my qualifications. 

Prior to applying for the AMBDA I applied for and got the ATS from the BDA
(Approved Teacher Status). I consider that to be equally as valid as the
AMBDA. I went for AMBDA because the Uni were seeking accreditation and I
was a visiting lecturer on the Dyslexia modules and sought the AMBDA under
advice from the course leader. 

Being perfectly honest and very shallow, errrr.......... ummmmmm now
should I admit this??? 

. blushes with embarrassment ....................
I applied for AMBDA back then because I fancied a few extra letters after my
name. They were extra ones, I didn’t have to work my darn socks off to get
having already worked my guts out to get the post grad diploma. YESSSS
.
shame on me!!! 

I have no idea why other courses are not credited. AMBDA isn't a
qualification is it? It’s just a statement that you are an Associated Member
of the British Dyslexia Association and that the course you have done is
recognised by the BDA. I am also a member of PATOSS should they insist that
the institutions seek PATOSS as an accreditation too? 

Shouldn't the fact that a recognised qualification in a specialist subject
already demonstrates a standardised level of training whether it be a
certificate, diploma or degree of some kind?

Out of interest do other charities require specialist’s qualifications to be
accredited to their charity? E.g. RNIB? Autistic charities etc? 

Should all SEN professionals need some additional accreditation attached to
their qualifications??? Why is it just for dyslexia?

I’m sorry if this posting is a bit disjointed; my pc keeps altering my font
and doing weird things. 

Cheers

Sheridan

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12:27