Course description
CAPTAIN is a community of practice network designed to support educators who are working on a micro-credential pathway with exemplary implementation following a specialized sequence of TASN trainings. It is also a network for professionals who want to collaborate with others on the implementation of Evidence-Based Practices. This group also includes former InSTEP and KALC members.
TASN ATBS Pathways for Professional Learning
What is a Pathway?
A Pathway is a focused series of trainings that are designed to strengthen programs and improve outcomes for students with autism. In partnership with TASN ATBS, school staff and administrators receive targeted support to enhance their skills. Interested? Talk with a trainer to connect with your Region Coach and get started.
Pathway Focus Areas:
Each Pathway includes training opportunities in one of four focus areas:
- Foundational – Core trainings that support effective and evidence-based teaching practices.
- Instructional and Behavioral – Trainings that target skill acquisition and behavior reduction strategies.
- Communication – Trainings that aim to enhance communication skills and supports.
- Transition – Trainings that address transition services across all age groups, supporting students as they move through different life stages.
✅ To complete a Pathway, participants must finish three trainings within that focus area.
Coaching and Skill Building:
For each training, participants will collaborate with their TASN coach to develop expertise in the following key areas:
- Data Collection & Analysis – Using data to inform decisions and monitor progress.
- Inclusion Initiative – Promoting and implementing practices that support inclusive learning environments.
- Administrative Engagement – Involving school leaders to support and sustain effective practices.
- Family Engagement – Partnering with families to enhance student outcomes through ongoing collaboration and resource sharing.
- Training Others – Sharing knowledge and strategies with colleagues to build capacity.
Capstone Project:
After completing the Pathway trainings, you'll create a capstone project to showcase the overall impact of your learning-highlighting collaboration, staff engagement, and teaching practices. Participants will present their projects in the spring using a provided PowerPoint template.
🌟 Leadership Opportunity
Take your project to the next level—present it to the Board of Education, administrators, or school staff to highlight its impact and inspire change.
Foundational | Instructional and Behavioral | Communication | Transition |
Attend all 3 | Choose 3 | Choose 3 | Month-by-Month Approach to Transition & Choose 2 |
| Summer Institute: Using Evidence-Based Practices within the Structured Teaching Framework (yearly) | Bootcamp (yearly) OR Establishing Basic Skill Sets for students with autism and complex needs (26-27, 28-29) | Bootcamp (yearly) OR Basic Skills (26-27, 28-29) | Mont Month-by-Month Approach to Supporting Transition for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs: A Book Study (25-26, 26-27, 28-29) |
| It’s All About You! Creating a Positive Environment for Success. Event 1 (yearly) | Advanced Verbal Behavior (25-26, 27-28, 29-30) | Advanced Verbal Behavior (25-26, 27-28, 29-30)
| Individualizing Instruction in Social Competencies for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs (25-26, 27-28, 29-30) |
| Individualizing Instruction in Social Competencies for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs (25-26, 27-28, 29-30) | Summer Institute (yearly) | Individualizing Instruction in Social Competencies for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs (25-26, 27-28, 29-30) | Guiding Educators to Access Community Supports for Families and Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs (25-26, 26-27, 28-29) |
| It’s All About You! Creating a Positive Environment for Success. Event 1 (yearly) | Environmental Communication Teaching (25-26, 27-28, 29-30)
| Transition Assessment for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs(27-28, 29-30) | |
| It’s All About You! Improving Student Outcomes. Event 2 (26-27, 28-29) | Supporting Students with Complex Communication Needs (26-27, 28-29) | Beginning with the End in Mind: Strategies for Post-Secondary Success for Students with Autism and Complex Learning Needs (26-27, 28-29) | |
| It’s All About You! Building a Cohesive Team. Event 4 (yearly) |
Please refer to the Training Calendar for details on the schedule of each training session. Trainings may not overlap if you are completing multiple Pathways.
Pathway Opportunities and Recognition
Certificate and Principal Letter
Your TASN ATBS coach will send an additional certificate of completion to both your building principal and Special Education Director, along with a letter congratulating you on your accomplishments, after you complete a Pathway.
Microcredential
After you complete a Pathway, TASN ATBS will honor you with a microcredential that you can add to your email signature and/or print and display.
Community of Practice
Monthly meetings for all Pathway participants, as well as past InStep and KALC members, where educators can come together to learn new skills and engage in group discussions about what they are learning and implementing. Skills learned are directly applicable to the classroom and can be immediately trained to staff.
Additional Opportunities (Optional)
Autism Certification Coursework and Non-Graduate and Graduate Credit (Pitt State)
- Autism Certification coursework and non-master’s and master’s-level credit hours can be earned through Pittsburg State University.
- If you are working toward your Autism Certification, you may complete one Pathway for 3 credit hours of instruction.
- You also have the opportunity to earn non-master’s and master’s-level credit hours even if you are not enrolled in the Autism Certification program.
- Please see this flyer for additional information.
Summer Institute Recognition
You may be invited to record a testimonial or share in person about your Pathway experience and what you learned, which may be shared with attendees during the Summer Institute training.
Rich Simpson Conference Presentation Opportunity
If your capstone presentation aligns with the theme of the Rich Simpson Conference and is selected, you may be eligible to apply for a one-hour session to present what you learned through your Pathway(s). This includes complimentary conference admission.
Meeting Dates: Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84801512909
Friday meetings from 8:00-8:50
Aug 14, 2026; Sept 11, 2026; Oct 16, 2026; Nov 13, 2026; Dec 11, 2026 Presentation Share-out
Information and Links
Learning Objectives
Refund Policy
Registration may be cancelled up to 14 days prior to the event for a full refund. Cancellations received within 14 days of the event will not be refunded. No-show registrations will also not be refunded.
Details
TASN ATBS