1. 1. Rationale of Class AA Programs for Areas of Instructional Support Other than Instructional Leadership. The purpose of a Class AA program shall be to prepare educators on the education specialist level to serve effectively in instructional support positions. Persons who complete Class AA programs shall have acquired knowledge and skill above the level required for completion of a Class A program. Class AA programs must meet Advanced CAEP standards.

2. 2. Institutional and Program Requirements.

   1. a. Class AA programs shall be limited to institutions that meet the standards for accreditation at the education specialist’s degree or higher level by an accredited institution.
   2. b. Completion of a Class AA program for an area of instructional support requires at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit not used for prior-level certification or degree in any teaching field or area of instructional support.

3. 3. Unconditional Admission to a Class AA Program for Instructional Support Personnel Other than Class AA Instructional Leadership.

   1. a. Requirements for unconditional admission shall include:

      1. i. A criminal history background check. See Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements).
      2. ii. A valid master’s-level professional educator certificate in the instructional support field in which the Class AA Professional Educator Certificate is sought.
      3. iii. At least two full years of full-time acceptable P-12 professional educational work experience.
   2. b. If an individual is unconditionally admitted to an Alabama Class AA program based on a valid master’s-level professional educator certificate from another state, completes a Class AA program, and subsequently applies for Alabama certification at the Class AA level, then the individual must hold at least a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate before applying for Class AA certification. Individuals who hold an out-of-state professional educator certificate must meet all requirements for the Class A Professional Educator Certificate, including experience requirements.
   3. c. Each institution shall establish and enforce a policy that specifies when the candidate must meet criteria for unconditional admission to the program. Admission to the graduate school is not equivalent to unconditional admission to an approved program.
   4. d. Class AA instructional leadership standards are in Rule 290-3-3-.43 (Instructional Leadership (Grades P-12)).

4. 4. Curriculum of a Class AA Program for Instructional Support Personnel.

   1. a. Completion of a Class AA program for instructional support personnel requires at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit not used for prior-level certification in any teaching field or area of instructional support.
   2. b. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. The course may not be older than 10 years unless the candidate has teaching experience within the last 5 years, or he/she used the course for prior level certification.

5. 5. Requirements for Class AA Certification Other than Instructional Leadership. Readiness to serve in an instructional support capacity at the Class AA level shall include:

   1. a. A valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in the instructional support field, except for School Psychology.
   2. b. An official transcript from an accredited institution documenting an earned education specialist degree. The institution must have been approved at the time of degree conferral.
   3. c. Satisfactory completion of program approved by the Alabama State Board of Education with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all courses in the program as verified on an official transcript.
6. 6. Testing for Class AA Certification of Instructional Support Personnel. No test required except for School Psychology.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .44 was renumbered .42 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: February 13, 1978. Amended: Filed December 13, 1990; effective February 1, 1991. Repealed and Replaced: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed June 14, 1999; effective July 19, 1999. Amended: Filed March 14, 2002; effective April 18, 2002. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Amended: Filed April 9, 2009; effective May 14, 2009. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Amended: Filed June 15, 2012; effective July 20, 2012. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Amended: Published August 31, 2020; effective October 15, 2020. Amended: Published October 30, 2020; effective December 14, 2020. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.