Education Issues:
Changes Made by the IDEA Reauthorization to the "Highly Qualified" Requirements for Special Education Teachers
Congress recently reauthorized IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act). This bill included changes to the "highly qualified" requirements for SPED teachers. Those changes are as follows:
Certification:
- To be considered highly qualified special education teachers must be certified or licensed in special education.
Special education teachers teaching multiple subjects:
- A veteran special education teacher who teaches 2 or more core academic subjects exclusively to children with disabilities may demonstrate competence in all the core academic subjects the teacher teaches in the same manner as is required for an elementary, middle or secondary school teacher under the NCLB HOUSSE, which may include a singe HOUSSE covering multiple subjects.
- A new teacher who teaches multiple subjects and who is highly qualified in math, language arts, or science when hired may demonstrate competence in the other core academic subjects the teacher teaches through the HOUSSE, which may include a single HOUSSE covering multiple subjects, not later than 2 years after the date of employment.
- Both new and veteran special education teachers may also qualify by meeting the original subjectr matter requirements under NCLB.
Special education teachers teaching to alternate achievement standards:
- A special education teacher who teaches core academic subjects exclusively to children who are assessed against alternate achievement standards may demonstrate subject matter competence by meeting the NCLB requirements applicable to an elementary school teacher, or in the case of instruction above the elementary level, by having subject matter knowledge appropriate to the level of instruction being provided, as determined by the State.
Special education teachers who only provide consultative services:
- The conference included report language clarifying that teachers who provide only consultative services to a highly qualified teacher should be considered highly qualified as long as they are certified in special education.
- Consultative services do not include instruction in core academic subjects, but may include adjustments to the learning environment, modifications of instructional methods, adaptation of curricula, the use of positive behavioral supports and interventions, or the use of appropriate accommodations to meet the needs of individual children.
Special education teachers teaching one core academic subject:
- Report language states the conferees' intent that special education teachers teaching one core academic subject must meet the original NCLB requirements for demonstrating subject matter competency.
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