282—18.6(256) Director of special education.

1. 18.6(1)  Authorization. The holder of this endorsement is authorized to serve as a director of special education.

2. 18.6(2)  Program requirements.

   1. a. Degree—master’s.

   2. b. Endorsement. An applicant will hold or meet the requirements for one of the following:

      1. (1) PK-12 principal and PK-12 supervisor of special education;
      2. (2) Superintendent/AEA administrator;
      3. (3) Supervisor of special education—instructional;
      4. (4) Professional service administrator; or
      5. (5) A letter of authorization for the special education supervisor issued prior to October 1, 1988.

   3. c. Content. An applicant will have completed a sequence of courses and experiences of at least 15 additional semester hours to include the following:

      1. (1) Knowledge of current issues in special education and administration, supervision, and evaluation of special education programs.
      2. (2) Knowledge of special education school law and legislative and public policy issues affecting children and families including special education ethics.
      3. (3) Mediation and conflict resolution in special education.
      4. (4) Knowledge of the powers and duties of the director of special education pursuant to Iowa Code section 273.5.
      5. (5) Practicum in administration, supervision, and evaluation of special education programs.

3. 18.6(3)  Other.

   1. a. Option 1: Instructional. An applicant will hold a special education endorsement and have two years of teaching experience in special education or hold an administrator license with two years of experience in the administration of special education programs.

   2. b. Option 2: Support. An applicant will meet the practitioner licensure requirements for one of the following endorsements and have three years of experience as a:

      1. (1) School audiologist;
      2. (2) School psychologist;
      3. (3) School social worker; or

      4. (4) Speech-language pathologist.

         NOTE: An individual holding a statement of professional recognition is not eligible for the director of special education endorsement.

[ARC 8816C, IAB 1/22/25, effective 2/26/25]