Special Education Certification

Beth HanselmanPrincipal Consultant,Professional Certification

Fall 2001

What does the new certification structure entail?

The new structure is comprised of three levels of teaching certificates: Initial Standard Master

The new legislation requires new assessments to be in place 7/1/2003

When does the new structure begin?

The issuance of Initial, Standard, and Master level certificates began 2/15/2000

The new assessment structure is required as of 7/1/2003

How does one qualify for the Master certificate?

Those who meet the rigorous requirements of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification will automatically be qualified for one of Illinois’ Master certificates. Under the provisions of SB556, there is no application fee for this level of certificate.

How are holders of current 4-year certificates affected by the structural

change?

Receive a Standard 5 year certificate

Required to complete continual professional development to maintain their certificates

Registration fees are now $5 per year

I have a K-12 certificate and an early childhood special education approval. Will I still be able to teach at the

pre-school level after I exchange my certificate?

Yes. The new special certificate with special education designations is valid from pre-school through age 21.

If I exchange my K-12 certificate for a Standard Elementary and a Standard Secondary certificate, will I still be limited to

teach in the areas of endorsement originally listed on my Special certificate?

Yes, but you can add new areas of endorsement to elementary and secondary certificates far easier than if you hold only a special certificate.

To qualify in an additional area with a special certificate, you must meet the requirements for a new certificate, including completing the required examination and meeting any deficiencies in coursework.

If I exchange my K-12 certificate for an elementary and a secondary certificate, will I be qualified to teach a regular

elementary classroom?

Only those persons who meet the qualifications for the new “Self-Contained General Education” endorsement or who have had an elementary certificate prior to the exchange will be given the right to teach in a self-contained regular elementary classroom.

Which certificates are effected by the Corey H Ruling?

Initial, Standard, and Master Certificates Provisional Certificate Approvals (LD, SED, EMH, TMH, and PH) Short Term Emergency (Replaces the

PZZ Process for categorical areas)

Learning Behavior Specialist IEndorsement (LBS1)

LBS1 = (LD or SED) + (EMH or TMH or PH) Must have one endorsement LBS1/Limited TBI and AUT may count for either side if one

possesses 3 yrs. teaching experience with students identified with TBI or AUT

(ISBE 73-83)

Learning Behavior Specialist IApproval (LBS1)

LBS1 = (LD or SED) + (EMH or TMH or PH)

LBS1/Limited

TBI and AUT may count for either side if one possesses 3 yrs. teaching experience with students identified with TBI or AUT (ISBE 73-83)

Exchange of Certificates

Began July, ’00

Early Exchange Option for Special Education teachers beginning 7/01 (ISBE 73-82)

Now – SLI file for exchange for SLP Type 73 BUT cert will not be issued until 7/02 (ISBE 73-84)

Exchange (cont.)

Reprint all special education certificates with LBS1 or LBS1/L and categorical area -- until 7/03 then LBS1 only

EMH and TMH now listed as MR on certs (still on TCIS & website)

Removing Limitations

SBE training sequence Coursework in chara. and methods for

on other side of equation Categorical test Apply for & receive endorsement or

approval LBS1 test Form ISBE 73-85

Removing limitations (cont)

Teaching experience for missing area (ISBE 73-83)

Teaching experience with TBI or AUT (ISBE 73-83)

Special Ed. Administrator

LBS1 Limited credential remains for three years with practicing administrator

Credential changes to LBS1 (unlimited) credential

Approvals Issued Prior to 1/1/02

LBS 1 (unlimited) Never expire

LBS 1 Limited Transition to unlimited approval in 3 yrs

May not take LBS 1 test to remove limitation Limitation automatically removed in 3yrs/7yrs.

Requirements for Approvals After 1/1/02

Survey of Exceptional Children

Characteristics for LBS1

Methods for LBS1

Diagnosis for LBS1

* Note: May involve more than 4 courses depending on standards covered.

Approvals Issued After 1/1/02

Valid for 3 years, non renewable Must transition to unlimited

endorsement via test Failure to receive unlimited

endorsement within the 3 yrs.: may not serve as LBS1

PZZ’s

Issued prior to Dec 31, 01 remain valid for period issued and not reissued.

No cat. special ed. PZZ’s issued after 1/1/02 for LBS1 areas

PZZ’s for other areas continue School psychologist, guidance, social

worker, administrator, adapt P.E., etc.

Short Term Emergency Certificate (ISBE 73-86)

Issued to teacher

Must hold a teaching cert. 03, 04, 09,10, 29

Must have survey course + 1 of the other 3 areas

Short Term Emergency cont)

Apply through ROE $30 fee Plan for acquiring clinical and coursework

Diagnosis & Characteristics for LBS1 Methods for LBS1 Adaptations/modifications for general curriculum Described supervision by district Validated by university Validated by district

Transferable to new employer Valid 3 yrs. from next acad. yr.; Non renewable

Short Term Emergency (cont.)

If receiving unlimited LBS1 Approval Must transition to unlimited LBS1

Endorsement within 3 yrs. Demonstrate mastery of standards through

passage of test

If fail to receive unlimited LBS1 Approval May no longer serve in as an LBS1

Early Childhood

Type 10 Deaf & Hard of Hearing, Blind & Partially Sighted, Speech Language Impaired Not regular classroom

Early Childhood Special Ed Approval Jan. ‘02

Assess, Methods, Fam. & Com. Relat., Language Dev.

LBS1 Exam

January ’03 for removal of limitations July ’03 required for new graduates

Not necessary if categorical test passed during previous 5 years.

What are the continuing professional development requirements?

However, SB556 indicates that a teacher must Submit a professional development plan to the local

professional development committee for approval. The plan must include three individual improvement

goals which must Advance the teacher’s knowledge and skills

consistent with the Illinois professional teaching standards and the content area standards.

Develop the holder’s knowledge and skills in State Board identified critical areas and

Address the knowledge, skills, and goals of the holder’s local school improvement plan.

What are the continuing professional development requirements?

Additionally the teacher’s plan mayExpand the holder’s knowledge and skills in

an additional teaching field, or in acquiring another endorsement or certificate or relevant education degree.

Complete the plan to the satisfaction of the local committee that recommends renewal to the regional superintendent who recommends renewal to the State Teacher Certification Board.

Renew Standard Certificates

Every 5 years

Spec. Ed. teachers must include mod/adapt. curriculum now

50% of Plan in special ed.