Authority: IC 20-28-2-6

Affected: IC 20-28-11.5

Sec. 8. (a) For purposes of this rule, an approved alternative route program for special education licensure in one (1) or more of the areas found at 511 IAC 15-6-10 is a path to an initial professional educator license or to a content area in addition to an existing professional educator license that is not an approved traditional undergraduate special education licensure preparation program.

(b) An approved alternative route program for special education licensure may include a transition to teaching program for special education licensure if that program has been reviewed by the department and determined to meet the requirements in subsection (d).

(c) A special education teacher who teaches in a public elementary, middle, junior high, or high school in the state must meet the following requirements:

1. (1) The teacher has obtained full state licensure as a special education teacher, including licensure obtained through an alternative route, as described in subsection (d).
2. (2) The teacher has not had special education licensure requirements waived.
3. (3) The teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree.

(d) A teacher will meet the requirement in subsection (c)(1) if the teacher is participating in an alternative route program for special education licensure accredited under 511 IAC 13 under which the teacher:

1. (1) receives high quality professional development that is:

   1. (A) sustained;
   2. (B) intensive; and
   3. (C) classroom-focused;
2. in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching;
3. (2) participates in a program of intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for teachers or a teacher mentoring program;
4. (3) assumes functions as a teacher only for a specified period not to exceed three (3) years; and
5. (4) demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full licensure as prescribed by the state in subsection (e).

(e) As required in subsection (d)(4), to demonstrate satisfactory progress, an enrolled teacher must:

1. (1) commit to completing the approved alternative route program for special education licensure within three (3) years after admission to that program; and
2. (2) complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours of coursework, or the equivalent, if enrolled in a non-higher education program per academic or calendar year, unless the education program provider has a greater annual progress requirement for the enrollee to remain in good standing, in which case the program provider requirement must be met.

(f) A teacher enrolled in an approved alternative route program for special education licensure that has been reviewed and determined to meet the requirements of subsection (d) may be eligible to be issued a three (3) year nonrenewable alternative route special education teaching license under this rule.

(g) An applicant for an alternative route special education teaching license must:

1. (1) hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution;
2. (2) provide verification of enrollment and an established program of study in an approved alternative route program for special education licensure that meets the requirements of subsection (d);
3. (3) be employed in an Indiana school as a teacher in the special education content area that corresponds to the approved program in which the applicant is enrolled; and
4. (4) submit all other required application materials and fees in accordance with 511 IAC 16-1-2 and 511 IAC 16-2- 1.

(h) The application for the alternative route special education teaching license must be approved by the school employer. The school employer may partner with the approved alternative licensure program where the license holder is enrolled to ensure the requirements of subsection (d)(1) and (d)(2) are met.

(i) Upon completion of an approved alternative route program for special education licensure, an applicant who:

1. (1) passes all required licensure tests as adopted by the board pursuant to 511 IAC 15-7-2;
2. (2) provides required application materials pursuant to 511 IAC 16-2-1; and
3. (3) provides the fee as specified by the department under 511 IAC 16-1-2;

will be eligible for a professional educator license in the content area of the special education alternative route program.

(Indiana State Board of Education; 511 IAC 16-4-8; filed Jun 13, 2022, 9:15 a.m.: 20220713-IR- 511220014FRA)