Section 540. Special education – general curriculum K-12

Endorsement requirements: The candidate must:

1. Have graduated from an approved program in special education – general curriculum; or

2. Have completed a major in special education – general curriculum or 27 semester hours in the education of students with disabilities distributed in the following areas:

a. Core coursework: 12 semester hours distributed among the following areas:

(1) Foundations – characteristics that include knowledge of the foundation for educating students with disabilities;

(2) Foundations – legal aspects that include an understanding and application of the legal aspects, regulatory requirements, and expectations associated with identification, education, and evaluation of students with disabilities;

(3) Assessment and management of instruction and behavior that includes an understanding and application of the foundation of assessment and evaluation related to best special education practice; of service delivery, curriculum, and instruction of students with disabilities; and of classroom management techniques and individual interventions; and

(4) Collaboration that includes skills in consultation, case management, and collaboration.

b. General curriculum coursework: 15 semester hours distributed in the following areas:

(1) Characteristics: 6 semester hours. Skills in this area shall include the ability to demonstrate knowledge of definitions, characteristics, and learning and behavioral support needs of students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, including but not limited to, students with learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, mental retardation; developmental delay; autism; other health impaired; traumatic brain injury; and multiple disabilities;

(2) Individualized Education Program Implementation: 6 semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to apply knowledge of assessment and evaluation throughout the K-12 grade levels to construct, use, and interpret a variety of standardized and nonstandardized data collection techniques; to make decisions about student progress, instruction, program, accommodations, placement, and teaching methodology for students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum and the standards of learning; and to demonstrate the use of assessment, evaluation, and other information to develop and implement individual educational planning and group instruction with students with disabilities who are accessing the general education curriculum across the K-12 grade levels.

(3) Transitioning: 3 semester hours. Skills in this area include the ability to prepare students and work with families to provide successful student transitions throughout the educational experience to include postsecondary training, employment, and independent living which addresses an understanding of long-term planning, career development, life skills, community experiences and resources, self-advocacy, and self-determination, guardianship and legal considerations.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 23, Issue 25, eff. September 21, 2007.

Statutory Authority

§ 22.1-298.1 of the Code of Virginia.