Special Education Licensure Restructuring: Issues related to policy and practice Phoebe Gillespie, Ph.D. Director National Center for Special Education Personnel and Related Service Providers

Policy mandates for restructuring NCLB/IDEA regulations related to HQT for special educators NCLB/IDEA regulations related to HQT for special educators HQT compliance is relevant to special educators who teach subject areas in self-contained settings (NCLB).HQT compliance is relevant to special educators who teach subject areas in self-contained settings (NCLB). Consultative teachers must be licensed in special education (IDEA).Consultative teachers must be licensed in special education (IDEA). States must establish content-specific criteria for HQT (NCLB).States must establish content-specific criteria for HQT (NCLB).

Practice-related licensure issues Staffing patterns at the local level ensure students are being taught by HQT general educators. Staffing patterns at the local level ensure students are being taught by HQT general educators. Collaborative special educators do not have to be HQT- compliant. Collaborative special educators do not have to be HQT- compliant. All (general and special) collaborative teachers need preparation in collaborative skills. All (general and special) collaborative teachers need preparation in collaborative skills. Special ed collaborative teachers need to have knowledge and skills of student developmental levels and curriculum areas being taught. Special ed collaborative teachers need to have knowledge and skills of student developmental levels and curriculum areas being taught. Secondary special ed teachers are typically becoming HQT through additional coursework/in-service. Secondary special ed teachers are typically becoming HQT through additional coursework/in-service.

Trends in special ed licensure All teachers must complete either elementary of secondary prep programs before becoming licensed in other areas. All teachers must complete either elementary of secondary prep programs before becoming licensed in other areas. Dual (gen. and special ed) licensure programs are on the rise. Dual (gen. and special ed) licensure programs are on the rise. Content specific pedagogy is taking the place of process-focused teaching strategies. Content specific pedagogy is taking the place of process-focused teaching strategies. Collaborative skills are being added to program approval standards for both general and special ed. Collaborative skills are being added to program approval standards for both general and special ed.

State licensure restructuring in response to policy and practice Add math and reading coursework (NC, VT). Add math and reading coursework (NC, VT). Two options offered-accessing general ed or adapted at bachelors level. Low-incidence areas offered at masters-level only (NC). Two options offered-accessing general ed or adapted at bachelors level. Low-incidence areas offered at masters-level only (NC). NCLB compliant at elementary level only (IA). NCLB compliant at elementary level only (IA). Prepare all educators the same at the bachelors level –add special ed professional skills at masters level (CT). Prepare all educators the same at the bachelors level –add special ed professional skills at masters level (CT). Require initial general ed licensure before special ed can be added (AK, AR, NJ, WA). Require initial general ed licensure before special ed can be added (AK, AR, NJ, WA).

University program changes Offer dual (5 years) and/or blended preparation programs that combine general ed and special ed coursework. Offer dual (5 years) and/or blended preparation programs that combine general ed and special ed coursework. Provide content-specific coursework to already certified special educators for them to become NCLB/HQT compliant. Provide content-specific coursework to already certified special educators for them to become NCLB/HQT compliant. Add math and reading coursework to their existing special ed prep programs. Add math and reading coursework to their existing special ed prep programs. Respond to new state program approval requirements. Respond to new state program approval requirements.

Additional options being considered Require specific coursework at the bachelors level that will support NCLB/HQT compliance before a masters-level special ed prep program is completed. Require specific coursework at the bachelors level that will support NCLB/HQT compliance before a masters-level special ed prep program is completed. Create new alternative licensure for special ed that builds on content specific and/or general ed majors (NJ, AK, AZ). Create new alternative licensure for special ed that builds on content specific and/or general ed majors (NJ, AK, AZ).

Future trends and issues HQT will become HET (Highly Effective Teacher) HQT will become HET (Highly Effective Teacher) HQT and HET will become more location-specific. HQT and HET will become more location-specific. Alternative/intern programs will become more prevalent with more hybrids emerging. Alternative/intern programs will become more prevalent with more hybrids emerging. All teachers’ licensure and preparation will become more similar than different. All teachers’ licensure and preparation will become more similar than different.

State Licensure/Program Approval Alignment to Scientifically Based Instruction Developing teacher prep literacy course rubric and checklist to ensure teacher prep programs include most current scientific research on literacy standards, assessment and instruction in their courses (CO). Developing teacher prep literacy course rubric and checklist to ensure teacher prep programs include most current scientific research on literacy standards, assessment and instruction in their courses (CO). Using outlines to assist IHE faculty to develop scientifically based reading courses (MD). Using outlines to assist IHE faculty to develop scientifically based reading courses (MD). Developing Higher Ed Consortium to ensure faculty are knowledgeable about SBRR and incorporating it into their teacher and administrator prep courses (TX) Developing Higher Ed Consortium to ensure faculty are knowledgeable about SBRR and incorporating it into their teacher and administrator prep courses (TX) Using licensing exams that measure SBRR specifically (MD, CA, VA). Using licensing exams that measure SBRR specifically (MD, CA, VA).

Recommended Components of Scientifically Based Reading Instruction Includes “Content” Includes “Content” Phonemic AwarenessPhonemic Awareness PhonicsPhonics FluencyFluency VocabularyVocabulary ComprehensionComprehension Includes Instructional Methodology - “How To” Includes Instructional Methodology - “How To” Systematic instruction with scaffoldingSystematic instruction with scaffolding Explicit instruction with modelingExplicit instruction with modeling Multiple opportunities for practiceMultiple opportunities for practice Immediate corrective feedbackImmediate corrective feedback Ongoing progress monitoringOngoing progress monitoring (Vaughn & Linan-Thompson, 2004)