Special Education Certification Beth Hanselman Principal 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 The new structure is comprised of three levels of teaching certificates: Initial, valid for four years of teaching and not renewable; Standard, valid for five years and renewable with continuing professional development; and the Master level, valid for 10 years and renewable with proof of continuing professional development. The Initial and the Standard level certificates each require new assessments, but the types of assessments and the points where the assessments take place during the student’s career have not yet been determined. The assessments are required because the new system will be based on standards, what teachers should know and be able to do. Assessments determine if a student has met a standard.

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 Implementation was originally scheduled for 1/1/99. Recent legislation (PA 91-102) changed the date to 2/15/2000. The new assessment structure will be required as of 7/1/2003. The current assessments, the Basic Skills tests and Subject Matter Knowledge tests, will apply to the Initial Certificate until then.

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.

Receive a Standard 5 year 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 Persons holding current 4-year early childhood, elementary, high school and special teaching certificates must exchange those certificates for new five year Standard teaching certificates when they register their certificates after the effective date of the legislation. They then become subject to continuing professional development requirements to renew those certificates every five years. They will be required to pay the $25 five-year registration fee. The exchange will be made without an application fee and teachers do not need to give up their current certificates; they may keep them for any historical or other purposes. Teachers exchanging certificates do not have to take new examinations. The exchange will occur automatically through our registration system. If teachers hold more than one teaching certificate, all will be exchanged at one time. The length of time a teacher has held a current certificate, whether more or less than four years, has no impact on the exchange—all holders of four-year early childhood, elementary, high school and special teaching certificates will exchange their certificates when they pay to register after 2/15/2000. Those who have endorsed certificates will receive new certificates with the same endorsements. Persons who hold Special (K-12) certificates have an exchange option: they may exchange their current certificate for either one new Special or they may opt to obtain both an elementary and a secondary certificate with the same endorsement. Similarly, those who complete K-12 programs after 2/15/2000 will have the same option; they may choose a single K-12 certificate or an elementary and a secondary certificate. With either choice

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. The new legislation provides that persons with special certificates in special education areas and early childhood special education approvals may continue to work in pre-school special education programs, whether they exchange for a new special or the elementary and secondary certificates. 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. 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. Adding an endorsement, except special education endorsements, to an elementary certificate requires 18 semester hours of credit in broad field areas, such as language arts, and possession of the 6 semester hours of courses required for the middle grades. Secondary level endorsements, except special education endorsements, require a maximum of 24 semester hours, frequently including a required distribution of those credits. Until 7/1/2003, no examination is required for endorsements on these certificates. In both endorsement scenarios, the teacher must apply to a regional superintendent of schools.

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. Only those persons who meet the qualifications for the new “Self-Contained General Education” endorsement or who have an elementary certificate prior to the exchange will be given the right to teach in a self-contained regular elementary classroom. Persons graduating from approved elementary programs will also receive this endorsement. However, if you do not now have an elementary certificate, you will be required to demonstrate that you meet the endorsement requirements before the qualification will be granted.

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 I Endorsement (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 I Approval (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. These requirements are complicated and rules must still be written to implement them.

What are the continuing professional development requirements? Additionally the teacher’s plan may Expand 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. These requirements are complicated and rules must still be written to implement them.

Renew Standard Certificates Every 5 years Spec. Ed. teachers must include mod/adapt. curriculum now 50% of Plan in special ed.