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What is Special Education?

Types of Education Specialist Credential
Admission requirements for the Special Education Credential Program
Academic planning tools for future Special Education Teachers
Streamlined Teacher Education Program (STEP)
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Admission Requirements for the Education Specialist Credential Program

Mild-Moderate/Moderate-Severe Candidates (K-6):


- SPED 371
- SPED 322
- SPED 425
- California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET): Multiple Subject


Mild-Moderate/Moderate-Severe Candidates (7-12):


- SPED 371
- SPED 322
- SPED 425
- California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST)
- Subject Matter Competency:

Candidates are required to choose either English/Language Arts, Mathematics, or a content area within Science for their single subject area. In addition, this option requires that candidates successfully pass the appropriate CSETs in that content area to establish their subject matter competence.

For teachers planning to teach in secondary settings (grades 7-12), it is difficult to advise students the appropriate type of subject matter competence because so much depends on the specific environment in which the teacher works and the policy of the employing district. However, the following generalities may be a guide:
 To be No Child Left Behind (NCLB) compliant, school districts are required to hire teachers that meet standards for "highly qualified" in subject matter competency.
 Teachers working with students who are categorized as having Moderate/Severe settings are more likely to be placed in a setting for which the CSET-MS is the appropriate subject matter competence.
 Teachers working with students who are categorized as having Mild/Moderate settings are more likely to be placed in a setting that is subject matter specific. Thus, the CSET in a specific subject matter area (math, science, or English/Language Arts) is the appropriate subject matter competence.
 Newly employed special education teachers are often granted a grace period in which to establish the appropriate subject matter competence.
 Student teachers must meet the subject matter competency requirements of their field placement.
The type of subject matter competency that should be established is dependent on the type of credential pursued as well as the grade level chosen. For candidates wishing to teach in secondary settings (grades 7-12), the required subject matter competence is also based on whether you are employed in a single subject content area (such as math, science, or English/language arts) or in a self-contained classroom (such as a Special Day Class).


Early Childhood Special Education Specialist Credential:
- SPED 371
- SPED 322
- SPED 425
- Minimum of 9 units in Child Development coursework
- Multiple Subjects CSET is not required. Instead, subject matter knowledge in early childhood development needs to be documented through coursework.

For additional information, please visit the Special Education website at http://ed.fullerton.edu/sped/

5/10/11

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