State Approves Special Education License, Programs
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The Indiana State Board of Education has given final approval for an alternative route license intended to grow Indiana’s pipeline of special education teachers. The SBOE also approved two special education programs that will provide transition to teaching programs to individuals with a bachelor’s degree who want to become special education teachers.
The board says alternative route license allows special education teachers who previously worked on an emergency permit to continue teaching while completing a professional educator license in special education or an addition to their existing license.
“Of our 1.12 million students, almost 16% of our students receive special education services,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “Since we know that teachers are one of the most important elements in maximizing our students’ learning and development, it is essential that we continue to recruit, train and retain our educators in the classroom. Through a new license option, approval of additional transition to teaching programs and financial assistance to support training for our current and future special education teachers, we’re committed to supporting our local schools as we seek to grow the pipeline of educators in this high-demand field.”
The SBOE says the alternative route license is valid for three years, during which time participants will work to complete all requirements for professional licensure. The program requires an educator to hold a bachelor’s degree, be employed by an Indiana school and be enrolled in an alternative special education program.