department of education
Professional Standards Board
PROPOSED
PUBLIC NOTICE
Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(D)
370 Certification Teacher of Autistic/Severely Disabled Children
A. Type Of Regulatory Action Requested
Amendment to Existing Regulation
B. Synopsis Of Subject Matter Of Regulation
The Professional Standards Board, acting in cooperation and collaboration with the Department of Education, seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 370 Certification Teacher of Autistic/Severely Disabled Children. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It is necessary to amend this regulation to align it with changes in statute regarding the licensure and certification of educators, and to update the course requirements for the position. The regulation will be renumbered 1571 to reflect its movement to the Professional Standards Board section of the Department of Education regulations. It will also be renamed Standard Certificate Teacher of Children with Severe Disabilities to make it consistent with other regulations for standard certificates for educators.
C. Impact Criteria
1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation addresses student achievement by establishing standards for the issuance of a standard certificate to educators who have acquired the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, to teach a particular subject or to instruct a particular category of students to help ensure that students are instructed by educators who are highly qualified.
2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation helps to ensure that all teachers employed to teach students meet high standards and have acquired the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, to teach a particular subject or to instruct a particular category of students.
3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ health and safety.
4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ legal rights.
5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level? The amended regulation will preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level.
6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation will not place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.
7. Will decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision-making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated rests with the Professional Standards Board, in collaboration with the Department of Education, and with the consent of the State Board of Education.
8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation will be consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.
9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the new regulation? 14 Del.C. requires that we promulgate this regulation.
10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the amended regulation? There is no additional cost to local school boards for compliance with the regulation.
370 Certification Teacher Of Autistic/Severely Disabled Children
Effective July 1, 1993
1.0 The following shall be required for the Standard License.
1.1 Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Special Education, Education for the Severely Disabled, or associated fields and,
1.2 Professional Education
1.2.1 Completion of an approved program in the area of autism/severely disabled at either graduate or undergraduate level or,
1.2.2 Standard Delaware License Exceptional Children (Mildly and/or Moderately Disabled) and 15 semester hours relating to Autistic/Severely Disabled:
1.2.2.1 Nine semester hours required in Introduction/Survey of Autism and Severe Developmental Disabilities, Methods and Curriculum for Teaching the Autistic/Severely Disabled and Functional Communication Training.
1.2.2.2 Six semester hours from the following topic areas. Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis Adaptive Recreation Vocational Education for the Disabled, to include the Severely Disabled Transition & Community-based Programming for the Disabled, to include the Severely Disabled Preschool Education for the Disabled, to include the Severely Disabled.
1.2.3 Practicum of six semester hours of experience under supervision in a setting or settings specifically intended for the education of developmental and communication disorders. This requirement will apply only to individuals who met Standard Exceptional Children certification requirements without a student teaching experience.
2.0 The following shall be required for the Limited Standard License (not renewable)
2.1 The Limited Standard License may be issued for a period of three years at the request of a Delaware Public School District to a person who meets the requirements listed below and who is assigned as a teacher of autistic/severely disabled, to allow for the completion of the requirements for the Standard License as listed in 1.0.
2.1.1 The individual meets the base Delaware License requirements for Exceptional Children (Mildly/Moderately Disabled) and is eligible for a Standard License as stated under 1.1, 1.2,and 1.3 of the Exceptional Children License or,
2.1.2 The individual has a current, valid Delaware teaching License in the area of Exceptional Children (Mildly/Moderately Disabled) or,
2.1.3 The individual is eligible for a Standard Delaware License in the area of Exceptional Children (Mildly/Moderately Disabled) through the Interstate Reciprocity or National/Regional Accreditation systems or,
2.1.4 The individual is considered eligible for a Limited Standard License if successful completion of the Pre-Professional Skills Tests is the only requirement necessary or,
2.1.5 The individual is considered eligible for a Limited Standard License if the only requirement to be met is six semester hours refresher course work for certification in any area of Exceptional Children or renewal of a Delaware License in any area of exceptionalities.
3.0 Present Autistic Teachers Protected
3.1 Those teachers authorized prior to March 28, 1974, to teach classes for children with autism on the basis of Standard Elementary or Secondary Teaching Licenses, and who have the continued recommendation of the local district superintendent, shall be authorized to continue in such a teaching assignment in the district where the assignment was authorized. Authorization to teach in this circumstance does not constitute a license transferable to any other school district. If re-assignment out of autism occurs, the new requirements for Autistic/Severely Disabled must be met upon re-entry into any autistic/severely disabled position.
3.2 Those teachers authorized since January 1982 to teach classes for children with autism on the basis of a Standard Teacher of the Autistic Child License, shall be authorized to continue in such a teaching assignment, as well as to be authorized for a teaching assignment with severely disabled children.
3.3 Anyone holding a Limited Standard License issued previously and based on the 1/82 certification requirements for "Teacher of the Autistic Child" shall be allowed to complete those requirements, if on schedule. Should it seem advantageous to be re-evaluated based on the 7/90 requirements, such may be requested; however, the total time for the Limited Standard License will remain as on the original license.
4.0 Licenses that may be issued for this position include Standard and Limited Standard.
1571 Standard Certificate Teacher of Students with Autism or Severe Disabilities
1.0 Content:
This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for a Teacher of Students with Autism or Severe Disabilities (Valid Grades K-12).
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“License” means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.
“Standard Certificate” means a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill, and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.
3.0 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Students with Autism or Severe Disabilities to an applicant who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who meets the following requirements:
3.1 A bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an NCATE specialty organization recognized educator preparation program offered by a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in special education with a concentration in autism or severe disabilities; or
3.2 A bachelor’s or a master’s degree from a state approved educator preparation program offered by a regionally accredited college or university, with a major in special education with a concentration in autism or severe disabilities, where the state approval body employed the appropriate NASDTEC standards or NCATE specialty organization standards; or
3.3 A bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major in special education; and
3.3.1 A minimum of fifteen (15) graduate credits in the areas of autism or severe disabilities from a regionally accredited college or university, as more specifically set forth in 3.3.1.1 through 3.3.1.5. With approval of a Committee comprised of the candidate’s principal or other designated school administrator, the State Director of Autism Programs, a higher education representative who teaches one of the approved courses, and a DOE representative, other verifiable professional experiences may be substituted for no more than nine (9) of the required credits.
3.3.1.1 Introduction/Survey of Autism and Severe Developmental Disabilities;
3.3.1.2 Methods of Instruction and Functional Curriculum for Students with Autism/Severe Disabilities;
3.3.1.3 Functional Communication Training;
3.3.1.4 Advanced Practicum in Behaviorally Based Teaching Techniques; and
3.3.1.5 One elective chosen from among the following. To be considered as an elective for certification, a course must specifically reference students with autism and/or severe disabilities in the title, catalog description, or syllabus and address an area known to be of critical importance to students with autism and/or severe disabilities:
3.3.1.5.1 Medical Aspects of Severe and Profound Disabilities;
3.3.1.5.2 Consultation and Collaboration;
3.3.1.5.3 Assistive Technology;
3.3.1.5.4 Augmentative Communication;
3.3.1.5.5 Evaluation and Assessment for Students with Significant Needs;
3.3.1.5.6 Seminar in Families and Autism;
3.3.1.5.7 Transition from Secondary Special Education;
3.3.1.5.8 Adaptive Recreation; or
3.3.1.5.9 Vocational Training and Assessment: Severe Disabilities; or
3.3.1.5.10 Education of Students with Severe Disabilities/ Sensory Impairments.
4.0 Present Teachers of Students with Autism or Severe Disabilities Protected
4.1 The Department shall recognize a Standard Teacher of the Autistic Child Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department between January 1, 1982 and August 31, 2005, if otherwise valid. A teacher holding a Standard Teacher of the Autistic Child Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued between January 1, 1982 and August 31, 2005shall be considered certified to teach classes for children with autism and/or severe disabilities.
