Asking for a friend. He studied to be a teacher in a non English speaking country but managed to get a US teaching license from Illinois a while ago. He is currently studying a Masters degree in Special Education from a university in Europe, and wants to explore the possibility of adding a Special Education endorsement to his teaching license. It seems it is not possible to do it in a straightforward way with Illinois, so the question is whether there is any state he could A) transfer his current license to, and B) add a Special Education endorsement by showing the transcripts from the Masters degree.
Would anyone happen to know if there is any state where adding this endorsement solely through credits (and/or taking a PRAXIS) is possible?
Paths to add a Special Education endorsement to an existing teaching license
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chemteacher101
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Re: Paths to add a Special Education endorsement to an existing teaching license
I live in WA, US, but I am not too sure about Illinois. Special Education endorsement in the US is more strict than other general education subject endorsements. Most likely they don't accept coursework from foreign countries. SPED is a complex field that requires the teacher to understand many state and federal laws that only apply to SPED. SPED teachers must know how to write IEPs that follow state and federal guidelines.
At least in WA, they require both coursework from *Approved* programs AND passing the SPED PAXIS.
At least in WA, they require both coursework from *Approved* programs AND passing the SPED PAXIS.
Re: Paths to add a Special Education endorsement to an existing teaching license
Texas will allow you to add it by exam.
Here's a link to the list of exams: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... -chart.pdf
And here's a link to the informational page on it - there's a few things you cannot get added to your certificate by exam: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... nformation
Here's a link to the list of exams: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... -chart.pdf
And here's a link to the informational page on it - there's a few things you cannot get added to your certificate by exam: https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... nformation
Response
its not possible to do in a straight forward way in a lot of the US DE. The most important question is how did they get the IL credential and what type of credential is it? Did they complete an academic path to get the credential that included a field work component and do they have a Professional IL credential (professional grade) or do they have an approval or some other kind of credential?
If they have a professional grade credential and they completed either an Academic or Skills based pathway with a substantial field work component. Then there are several options which breaks down into how they feel about testing.
MA: I would never recommend anyone do the MA requirements in their current form for SPED/SEN/LD. Its a nightmare of coverages, but its possible with a Masters that your friend could meet all the coverages and you would still have to take some exams. The benefit is that the provisional credential would be an effective lifetime credential. Yo also dont need a SS#
Texas: Texas has only one (professional grade) credential, the standard credential. assuming the TX DOE (TEA) accepted the IL credential and issued a provisional credential. Once they did that assuming your friend has a SS# (its required for the CBI). You would then complete whatever exams are required for the initial issuance of the Standard credential (a content exam alligning with their current credential and the PPR). You then only have to take the EC-12 Special Education exam. The Masters has no bearing on the process. The advantage of this route is that TX accepts foreign applicants though you would have to have a SS#.
FL: This option requires meeting the citizenship requirements including a valid SS# but assuming they accepted the IL credential and issued a FL Professional (professional grade) credential your friend would only have to complete the FTCE exam in K-12 Exceptional Student Education.
DC: This route doesnt have a citizenship requirement or SS# requirement. Assuming they met the requirements for the Standard credential (professional grade) they would have to only take the required PRAXIS exams which are available globally.
If they have a professional grade credential and they completed either an Academic or Skills based pathway with a substantial field work component. Then there are several options which breaks down into how they feel about testing.
MA: I would never recommend anyone do the MA requirements in their current form for SPED/SEN/LD. Its a nightmare of coverages, but its possible with a Masters that your friend could meet all the coverages and you would still have to take some exams. The benefit is that the provisional credential would be an effective lifetime credential. Yo also dont need a SS#
Texas: Texas has only one (professional grade) credential, the standard credential. assuming the TX DOE (TEA) accepted the IL credential and issued a provisional credential. Once they did that assuming your friend has a SS# (its required for the CBI). You would then complete whatever exams are required for the initial issuance of the Standard credential (a content exam alligning with their current credential and the PPR). You then only have to take the EC-12 Special Education exam. The Masters has no bearing on the process. The advantage of this route is that TX accepts foreign applicants though you would have to have a SS#.
FL: This option requires meeting the citizenship requirements including a valid SS# but assuming they accepted the IL credential and issued a FL Professional (professional grade) credential your friend would only have to complete the FTCE exam in K-12 Exceptional Student Education.
DC: This route doesnt have a citizenship requirement or SS# requirement. Assuming they met the requirements for the Standard credential (professional grade) they would have to only take the required PRAXIS exams which are available globally.
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welshexpect
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- Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2024 8:20 pm
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Re: Paths to add a Special Education endorsement to an existing teaching license
Ladida wrote:
> Texas will allow you to add it by exam.
>
> Here's a link to the list of exams:
> https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... -chart.pdf
>
> And here's a link to the informational page on it - there's a few things
> you cannot get added to your certificate by exam:
> https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... nformation
The sample tests are quite similar to the content I am reviewing. Thanks for sharing.
> Texas will allow you to add it by exam.
>
> Here's a link to the list of exams:
> https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... -chart.pdf
>
> And here's a link to the informational page on it - there's a few things
> you cannot get added to your certificate by exam:
> https://tea.texas.gov/texas-educators/c ... nformation
The sample tests are quite similar to the content I am reviewing. Thanks for sharing.