(a)

1. (1) The Department of Education is responsible for establishing and maintaining qualifications to ensure that special education educators are appropriately and adequately prepared and trained.

2. (2) Qualifications may be demonstrated by a candidate that holds at least a bachelor’s degree and:

   1. (A) Has obtained a state license as a special education teacher;
   2. (B)

(i) Is in the process of completing an approved alternate route for licensure with emphasis in special education.

1. (ii) Alternate program candidates must:

(b) (b) Participate in a program of intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for the teacher (mentoring);

1. (c) (c) Assume the function as a teacher not to exceed three (3) years; and

   1. (d) (d) Demonstrate satisfactory progress towards full certification;

   2. (C)

      1. (i) Holds a teaching license in another area and has demonstrated knowledge and skills by passing the state special education licensing exam (testing out).
      2. (ii)

(b) (b) See protocol.

1. (iii) The educator must complete Special Education 101 modules provided by the Office of Special Education.

   1. (iv) The educator must demonstrate awareness in Science of Reading in year one (1) and proficiency within three (3) years if applicable to job;
   2. (D) Is an educator who is licensed and actively participating in an additional licensure plan through course work in higher education;

   3. (E)

      1. (i) Holds an ancillary license in a field of work directly related to providing educational services identified by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, e.g., speech pathology, dyslexia, school psychology, occupational therapy (OT).
      2. (ii) District must follow first-year special education mentoring per protocol.
      3. (iii) Educator must complete Special Education 101.
      4. (iv) Educator must demonstrate awareness in Science of Reading in year one (1) and proficiency within three (3) years if applicable to job.
      5. (v) Educator must pass content assessments as identified by the division;

   4. (F)

      1. (i) Holds a bachelor's degree in a field of work directly related to providing educational services approved by the division (counseling, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, hearing impaired, visually impaired, math, English/literature for special education kindergarten through grade twelve (K-12), early childhood education for preK special education).
      2. (ii) District must follow first-year special education mentoring per protocol.
      3. (iii) Educator must complete Special Education 101 modules provided by the Office of Special Education.
      4. (iv) Educator must demonstrate awareness in Science of Reading in year one (1) and proficiency within three (3) years if applicable to job.
      5. (v) Educator must pass content assessment approved by the division; or

   5. (G)

      1. (i) Holds a literacy or math specialist license position with advanced degree.
      2. (ii) District must follow first-year special education mentoring plan.
      3. (iii) Educator must complete Special Education 101.
      4. (iv) Educator must demonstrate proficiency in Science of Reading within three (3) years if applicable to job.

(b)

1. (1) A special education teaching apprentice must:

   1. (A) Hold a bachelor’s degree;
   2. (B) Complete Special Education 101; and
   3. (C) Complete customized training protocol.

2. (2) See division website.

   1. (c)

3. (1) A special education teaching apprentice may work under the direction of a journeyman (licensed special educator) who has:

   1. (A) At least three (3) years’ experience; and
   2. (B) Earned a Master or Lead designation.
4. (2) Journeymen may apply for incentive funding from the division.

5. (3)

   1. (A) The licensed educator is responsible for oversight of instruction, due process, and individualized education plans required for students to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

   2. (B)

      1. (i) The journeyman may have no more than two (2) apprentices as outlined in protocol.
      2. (ii) Each apprentice may allow for an increased caseload above what is specified in the division’s rules regarding special education, 6 CAR § 130-1703(a)(2), for the journeyman.
      3. (iii) The following chart illustrates the maximum increase allowable:

         Possible Caseload Increase	Special Class	All Other Areas
         Journeyman w/ one apprentice	+5	+10
         Journeyman w/ two apprentices	+10	+20

      4. (d) Special education teaching apprentice.
6. (1) Due to the requirements to develop and maintain appropriately and adequately licensed special education teachers through alternate pathways, school districts should provide compensation that reflects the job responsibility of an apprentice.

7. (2) Special education teaching apprentices should receive a:

   1. (A) Competitive progressive salary; and
   2. (B) One-hundred-ninety-day contract.

(e)

1. (1) Satisfactory performance for three (3) years as a special education paraprofessional would qualify the aspiring educator for a Professional Provisional Special Education Apprenticeship.

2. (2) The educator must also:

   1. (A) Pass content assessments approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education; and

   2. (B)

      1. (i) Continue customized training protocol.
      2. (ii) See division website.