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TO:  Academic Policies Committee

FR:  Special Education Faculty

RE:  Proposed Changes in Options for Special Education

DA:  October 24, 2002

 

After due deliberation and input from our stakeholders groups, we are submitting this proposal for revising IUS's undergraduate special education degree and post-baccalaureate non-degree license options.  Attached documents present background information and specific changes.  These changes have been approved through the curriculum change procedure within the School of Education. 

 

CURRENT PROGRAM

 

Currently IUS has three ways to obtain a teaching license in special education:

(1) Obtain an initial license by completing a bachelor's degree in Education with a major in Special Education.

(2) Obtain an initial license by completing a second bachelor's degree, this time in Education with a major in Special Education.  (This option is the only one open to students who teach full-time but do not have a regular---not limited or emergency--teaching license.)

(3) Obtain a second license by adding an endorsement to another teaching license.  These second licenses are either pursued simultaneously with an undergraduate major in Elementary or Secondary education or added at the post-baccalaureate level to a previously completed teaching license.

 

CHANGES MANDATED IN INDIANA

 

New rules for licensing special education teachers have been put in place by the Indiana Professional Standards Board (IPSB), the agency responsible for governing the preparation, testing, licensing, induction, and re-licensing of Indiana's education professionals.  These changes call for significant rethinking of IUS's special programs leading to a special education teaching license.   Important changes has been made to license coverage (i.e., age-level of students and disability of students):

 

1.  Broader Licensing:  Licensing rules that molded the current special education major had eight distinct special education licenses of which IUS has been offering three: Learning Disability, Mild Mental Disability and Emotional Disability.    New rules termed Framework 2000 have only four licenses in Exceptional Needs: Mild Intervention and three additional areas (Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired and Intense Intervention) that cannot stand alone (i.e., must be coupled with Mild Intervention).  See diagrams below.

 

Licenses Currently Available Under Rules 46-47 in Indiana

Learning Disabiliy

Mild Mental Disability

Emotional Disability

Visual Impairment

Hearing Impairment

Physical Disability

Severe Disability

Other Health Impaired

ß--------- IUS Currently Offers-------------------à

 

 

Licenses Available Under New Framework 2000

Mild Intervention

Visual Impairment

Hearing Impairment

Intense Intervention

ß- IUS Plans to Offer Offers--à

 

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IPSB content standards (i.e., what teachers must know and be able to do) for Mild Intervention are designed to prepare candidates to teach children or youth with a greater variety and intensity of disabilities than any single disability license IUS currently offers.  Though the exact meaning of which P-12 students qualify for "intense intervention," conversations with colleagues around the state indicate that it would likely encompass Learning Disabilities, Emotional Disabilities, Mild and Moderate Mental Disabilities, other health impaired and mild physical disability. Confusion regarding the interpretation is created, in part, by the fact that federal and state regulations and funding streams are defined by discrete disability categories. The terms  "mild" and "intense" intervention do not appear in regulations or funding formulas.  These details will need to be worked out by the Indiana DOE-Division of Exceptional Learners and IPSB.

 

2.  Range of Licenses: Before Framework 2000 came into effect, Indiana's licensing rules for special education were all-grade (i.e., preschool through high school).  New rules permit universities to pick which grades levels they want to offer. 

 

PROPOSED PROGRAM

 

We propose offering three options for obtaining an all-grade Mild Intervention teaching license:

(1) Continue to offer a B.S. in special education with revisions.   Revisions will meet IPSB mandates and allow more course flexibility.

(2) Provide a post-baccalaureate initial-license option.  Revisions will meet IPSB mandates and allow students to obtain a license without seeking a second degree.

(3) Continue the masters level second-license option with revisions that meet IPSB mandates. 

 

We propose that IUS offers only Mild Intervention for the following reasons.   One, that licensure area has the highest market demand.   Two, current IUS coursework is the most compatible with that licensure area.  Three current faculty have the most expertise in that license area.

 

We propose that all three options be made all-grade (i.e., covers preschool through high school) in order to maximize candidates' job options and offer districts the most flexibility in job assignments.  We believe that allowing candidates to exit with only one or two developmental levels will add to the shortage of qualified special educators. 

 

Preparation for the Mild Intervention license will have two major components: (A) General Education and (B) Professional Education.  Professional Education is further divided into two areas: All-Learners content which focuses on knowledge, skills and dispositions that underpin all teaching licenses and Exceptional Needs content which focuses on knowledge, skills and dispositions needed by special education teachers.  The chart below details requirements for each option.

OPTION 1:

 BS SPECIAL

 EDUCATION

OPTION 2:

POST-BACCALAUREATE

INITIAL LICENSE

OPTION 3:

MS LEVEL

SECOND LICENSE

For individuals seeking first college degree and an initial teaching license.  Must qualify for Elementary/Special Education cohort group, including passing Praxis I.

For individuals with BS/BA degree who are employed full-time as Special Education teachers but who have not completed a teacher training program.  Full acceptance requires: (a) 2.5 undergraduate GPA OR (b) 2.0 undergraduate GPA and 2.7 GPA in 9 cr. hrs. of  new A & S courses as determined by coordinator. (Individuals who are not full-time teachers will complete additional experiences and/or course work.)

For individuals with an initial teaching license (not limited or emergency) & 2.5 undergraduate GPA. Individuals without 2.5 must (a) pass PRAXIS I  OR (b) meet the Arts & Sciences section of the post-baccalaureate Initial-License option or (c) qualify for testing exemption based on state licensing rules in order to be fully admitted.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                PAGE  3

 • Individuals choosing option 2 or 3 could select either undergraduate or graduate level courses to fulfill requirements.  (It is not feasible for most option 2 students to complete some undergraduate courses if they are employed full-time as a teacher.)

 

• The program is not prescribing a specific number of credit hours or specific course titles for General Education and All-Learners Content areas for option 2 and 3 students. 

 

  Students in these options 2 and 3 are seeking a license and will not receive a degree in special education.

 

• Undergraduates simultaneously seeking Elementary Education and Mild Intervention will complete one less special education practicum and only 3 credit hours (6-7 weeks) of student teaching in a special education setting.

 

  Secondary Education majors can add Mild Intervention at the master's level.

 

ARTS AND SCIENCES COURSES    (Subject matter knowledge.)

OPTION 1: BS Special Education

Initial License

OPTION 2:  POST-BAC

INITIAL LICENSE

OPTION 3: MS LEVEL

SECOND LICENSE

• ENG W131  Elementary Composition 1 (3 cr.)

• ENG W290  Writing in A & S   (3 cr.)

• SPCH S121  Public Speaking   (3 cr.) 

• FINA/MUS/THTR   Elective (3 cr.)

• Elective in Literature (3 cr.)

• Elective in Phil/Lang./Comm/Religion (3 cr.)

   18 cr. hrs.    

 

 

• speech or oral communication  

• two composition courses  

 

 

 

Undergraduate liberal arts component accepted as completed.

• MATH T101,102,103 Mathematics for Elementary (9 cr.)

• Complete a, b or c:

   a. BIOL L100  Humans & the Biological World (3 cr.) 

       CHEM C101/121 Elementary Chemistry I  (5 cr.)

   b. BIOL L100 Humans & the Biological World  (5 cr.) 

      CHEM C104 Physical  Science & Society (3 cr.)

    c. BIOL L100 Humans & the Biological World  (5 cr.)

        CHEM C101 Elementary Chemistry   (3 cr.)

    17 cr. hrs.

 

 

• biology

• physical science

• T101 (“C+”) & passed another college level math course OR “C” in M117 or higher

 

 

 

Undergraduate liberal arts component accepted as completed.

 

 

CONT. ARTS & SCIENCES COURSES                                                                                                                                              PAGE  4

 

One from each group:

• GEOG  G201 World Regional Geography (3 cr.) or

   GEOG G107  Physical Systems of the En. (3 cr.) or

   GEOG G110 Intro. To Human Georgraphy  (3 cr.)

• SOC S163 Social Problems  (3 cr.) or

   SOC S216 American Ethnic Diversity  (3 cr.) or

   ANTH E105 Culture & Society  (3 cr.)

• HIST H105 Am. History I  (3 cr.) or

   HIST H106 Am. History II  (3 cr.) or

   POLS Y103 Intro. to Am. Politics  (3 cr.)

    9 cr. hrs    

 

 

• geography   

• political science or US History   

• social science elective

 

 

 

 

Undergraduate liberal arts component accepted as completed.

•.COAS S104  First Year Seminar  (1 cr. hr.)

NA

NA

 

 

ALL-LEARNERS CONTENT COURSES 

(What all teachers need to know and be able to do.)

• Adult first-aid & CPR (obtain certification)

• EDUC H340 Ed & Am Culture    (3 cr.)

• EDUC W200 Computers in Ed   (3 cr.)

• EDUC P255 Educational Psych for Middle/HS  (2 cr.)

• EDUC P250/P251/M201 Child Devel & Ed Psych (5 cr.)

 13  cr. hrs.      

• adult first-aid & CPR

• child/adol /life span development

• educational psychology or learning theory   

• pass IUS computer literacy test or EDUC W200

• adult first-aid & CPR

• child/adol /life span development

• educational psychology or learning theory   

• pass IUS computer literacy test or EDUC W200

• EDUC E449 Trade Books   (3 cr.)

• EDUC K205 Intro to Except. Child  (3 cr.)

• EDUC M310/M311/M301 General Methods  (4 cr.)

• EDUC E339/E340/M301 Teaching Reading/Lang. Arts   (6-7)

• EDUC E341/M301  Reading II  (3-4)

• EDUC E325/M301 Social Studies Methods (3-4)

• EDUC E328/E343/M301 Math & Science in Elem (6-7)

 28-31 cr.  hrs.

 

• introduction to special education   

• two literacy methods courses      

• math methods      

• science methods    

• social studies methods      

• adolescent's or children's literature    

  

 

• introduction to special education   

• two literacy methods courses      

• math methods      

• science methods    

• social studies methods      

• adolescent's or children's literature

  

 


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EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS CONTENT COURSES    

(What special educators need to know and be able to do.)

BS Spec Ed

POST-BAC  INITIAL LICENSE

MS LEVEL SECOND LICENSE

  EDUC K344 Ed of Socially & Emotionally Disturbed II   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K345 Academic & Behavioral Assessment   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K352 Ed. of Children w. Learning Problems   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K370  Intro to Learning Disorders   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K453  Management of Academic & Social Behavior   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K490A Partnerships    (3 cr.)

• EDUC K490B,C,D AT; TBI & Autism; Functional Curriculum  (3 cr.)

• EDUC M470A,B,C Practicum  (9)

• EDUC K480 Student Teaching  (12)

 42 cr.  hrs.

  EDUC K344 Ed of Socially & Emotional. Dist. II   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K345 Academic & Behavioral Assessment   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K352 Ed. of Children w. Learning Problems   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K370  Intro to Learning Disorders   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K453  Management of Academic & Social Behavior   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K490A Partnerships    (3 cr.)

• EDUC K490B,C,D AT; TBI & Autism; Functional Curriculum  (3 cr.)

• EDUC M470A,B Practicum  (6)

• EDUC M495 Field Experience in Special Education (3 cr.)

Up to 30 cr. hrs. of post-bac courses

 

  EDUC K544 Ed of Socially & Emotional. Disturbed. II   (3 cr.)

  EDUC K545 Academic & Behavioral Assessment (3 cr.)

  EDUC K553 Management of Acad. & Soc. Behavior (3 cr.)

  EDUC K590A Partnerships (3 cr.)

  EDUC K590B,C,D AT; TBI & Autism; Functional Curriculum (3 cr.)

• EDUC K590E Methods for High Incidence  (3 cr.)

• EDUC K590F Advanced Survey of Exceptional Needs (3 cr.)

• EDUC M550 Practicum  (3 cr.)

• EDUC K595 Supervised Teaching (3 cr.)

Up to 27 cr.

 44  hrs. Arts & Sciences

 41-44  hrs. "All-Learners" Content

 42  hrs. Exceptional Needs Content

127  hrs. plus enough electives to total 130 for BS in special education

Up to  

           XXX  hrs. Arts & Sciences

           XXX  hrs. All-Learners

                30 hrs. Exceptional Needs

 

Up to  

           XXX  hrs. All-Learners

                27 hrs. Exceptional Needs

 

NOTE: Undergraduates elementary education majors pursuing Mild Intervention will complete all Exceptional Needs Content courses except

for one less special education practicum and only 3 credit hours (6-7 weeks) of student teaching in special education.  (30 cr. hrs. total)

 

COURSES TO BE PHASED OUT

  (P407 no longer required)

  EDUC K350/550 Introduction to Mental Retardation

  EDUC K343/543 Characteristics of Emotional Disturbance

  K564 Methods for LD and K580 Methods for MiMD

REQUIREMENTS TO BE ADDED

  M495/595 field experience  (3 cr.)  (Capstone field work for options 2 & 3)

  K490/590A Partnerships (3 cr.)

  K490/590B,C,D Assistive Technology; Traumatic Brain Injury & Autism; Functional Curriculum (1+1+1 cr.)

  K590E Methods for High Incidence (3 cr.)  (This replaces K580 and K564)

  K590F: Advanced Survey of Exceptional Needs (3 cr.)  (This is graduate level of K370)

   (Additional 3-credit practicum will be added to the undergraduate major.)

 

 


                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PAGE 6

 

COURSES FOR REVISED OPTIONS  10.7.02

 

NOTE:  EDUC K490 and EDUC K590 are variable title variable credit courses that have been offered on this campus.

 

EDUC K490A/590A Partnerships.  (3 cr. hrs.)    Active exploration of the community, social agencies, school and family as stakeholders and contributors to services for students with exceptional needs.  Collaboration, consultation, conflict resolution and grant initiatives. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

 

EDUC K490B/590B Assistive Technology (1 cr.)     Study of low and high technology for routine and customized access to general education curriculum.  Ways to extend abilities and more fully participate in school, family and community life. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

 

EDUC K490C/590C  TBI and Autism (1 cr.)  Study of nature and needs of students with traumatic brain injury, autism and related conditions. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

 

EDUC K490D/590D  Functional Curriculum (1 cr.)   Overview of age-appropriate skills likely to increase the ability of students with exceptional needs to function in present and future environments.  Instructional experiences centered on natural domestic, vocational and community environments. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

 

EDUC K590E  Methods for High Incidence (3 cr.)   Application of research-based best practices in designing, delivering and monitoring specialized instruction for students with exceptional needs across settings.  Instruction focusing on general education outcomes with or without adaptations and modifications. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

 

EDUC K590F Advanced Survey of Exceptional Needs.  (3 cr.)  Causation, defining characteristics, instructional implications, and cultural and family impact of high incidence disabilities. Prerequisite: EDUC K505 Introduction to Special Education for Graduate Students or permission of instructor.

 

 

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GLOSSARY

 

 

All-Grade

An age-level range of preschool through high school.

Development level

The age-level range of a particular group of children/youth. There are four developmental levels in Indiana's teaching license framework. 

Emotional Disability

One of three types of special education teaching licenses being phased out at IUS and no longer offered in Indiana after June 2006.

Exceptional Needs

Term used by IPSB to refer to students who qualify for special education services.

Framework 2000

Rules for licensing teachers that replaces Rules 46-47. 

IPSB

The Indiana Professional Standards Board is the agency responsible for governing the preparation, testing, licensing, induction, and re-licensing of Indiana's education professionals.

Learning Disability

One of three types of special education teaching licenses being phased out at IUS and no longer offered in Indiana after June 2006.

License coverage

The age-level of students and disability of students that are covered by a teaching license.

 

Limited or emergency license

Type of license issued to teacher who has not completed an accredited teacher preparation program or who has completed such a program but does not hold a license that matches the teaching job s/he currently has.  Personnel shortages cause districts to staff classrooms with teachers who are not fully prepared for their duties.  Indiana has more than 1,600 special education teachers who hold limited licenses. 

Mild Mental Disability

One of three types of special education teaching licenses being phased out at IUS and no longer offered in Indiana after June 2006.

P-12

Preschool through high school grades levels.

Regular license

Type of license a student qualifies for after completing an accredited teacher preparation program. Student obtains full license after completing induction program at his/her school of employment.

Rules 46-47

Indiana's rules for licensing teachers that is still in force.  Universities can select to continue licensing teachers under these rules until 2006.  They may also license teachers under Framework 2000 before 2006.