Temporary Special Education Teacher Certificate (TSEC)
Temporary Special Education Teacher Certificate (TSEC) supports Alabama districts in paying teachers for professional learning and Praxis passage to increase and retain special education teachers.
Funder: Alabama State Department of Education
Due Dates: September 11, 2026 (Round 1) | December 4, 2026 (Round 2)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 per TSEC teacher for FY 2027; funds must be spent by September 30, 2027
Summary: Supports Alabama school districts in compensating TSEC special education teachers for completed professional learning and passage of the required Praxis examination.
Key Information: LEAs pay teachers and receive reimbursement from ALSDE; applications must be approved before expenditures.
Description
The Temporary Special Education Teacher Certificate (TSEC) initiative is administered by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), Special Education Services (SES) Section, through its FY 2027 Special Education Services Special Initiatives Grant. It supports, increases, and retains special education teachers pursuing the TSEC alternative certification approach, helping them educate children and youth with disabilities.
The initiative funds participant fees for six completed professional learning sessions and passage of the required Praxis examination, currently Special Education Foundational Knowledge. Participating local education agencies (LEAs) compensate their teachers and receive reimbursement from ALSDE. Funding comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B, Section 611, and focuses on certification-related professional learning completed outside normal work hours.
