Teachers and Educational Specialists: Special Education Certificates and Endorsements
SECTION 2:
2.1 Endorsement 282: Teacher of Children with Disabilities
A. Function: This endorsement on a teacher certificate allows the holder to teach children with disabilities and to consult with teachers, children, and parents. The endorsement specifies the applicable grade levels: birth to school age 5, kindergarten through grade 8, or grades 7 through 12.
B. Eligibility: Applicants shall meet eligibility requirements specified in Part I. In addition, eligibility for this endorsement shall be established by one of two pathways. Individuals who are not eligible through either pathway may be eligible for a conditional certificate, in accordance with 2.1.B.3, below, and Part I Section 5.4 of this rule.
1. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 1
(a) Graduated from a Maine program approved for teachers of children with disabilities birth to school age 5, kindergarten through grade 8, or grades 7 through 12, together with formal recommendation of the preparing institution;
(b) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule;
(c) Passed content area assessment, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
(d) Passed Basic Skills Test in reading, writing, and mathematics, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013.
2. Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 2
(a) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule;
(b) Completed a minimum of 24 semester hours in special education;
(c) Passed content area assessment, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013;
(d) Passed Basic Skills Test in reading, writing, and mathematics, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013;
(e) Passed pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at the appropriate grade level kindergarten through grade 8, or grades 7 through 12, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013, or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program; and
(f) Completed one academic semester or a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time student teaching, or a combination of part-time and full-time student teaching in an amount equivalent to 15 weeks in this endorsement area at the specified grade level kindergarten through grade 8, or grades 7 through 12. This requirement shall be waived upon completion of one full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, a conditional certificate, or a transitional endorsement in this endorsement area at the specified grade level.
NOTE: Parts 2.1.B.2(e) and (f) above do not apply to this endorsement for birth to age 5.
3. Conditional Certificate for this Endorsement
(a) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in accordance with Part I Section 4.4 of this rule; and
(b) Completed a minimum of nine semester hours in special education.