Professional Endorsement Special Education Teaching

Under current law, a person seeking a teaching endorsement in special education or early childhood special education (endorsement) must complete an approved program and a student teaching practicum through an institution of higher education and pass one or more appropriate content-based exams. The act requires the department of education to issue an endorsement. Under current law, to receive the endorsement, the educator must hold a valid teaching license other than an initial license and complete coursework and assessments, as specified by rule of the state board of education (board), in a program in special education offered by an accepted institution of higher education. The act adds applicants who complete an alternative teacher preparation program (program) for special education offered by a designated agency as eligible for the endorsement. The act authorizes a person with a professional teacher license to continue in the person's current position while participating in an alternative teacher preparation program for the purpose of receiving an endorsement. APPROVED by Governor April 19, 2024 EFFECTIVE April 19, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)