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Strategist I Network News Release

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

Newsletter - August 2003 Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

The Council for Exceptional Children

Information for Current Students

What do I need to get licensed in order to teach Students with
Disabilities?

Do I have other options?

Can I get a teaching position and work toward licensure?

How do I apply?

When can I apply?

Can I transfer courses?

Is there financial support?

Where can I get additional information?

What are your responsibilities?

What position do you have? (Teaching assignment)

What are the requirements to apply?

Q: What do I need to get licensed in order to teach Students with
Disabilities? (i.e. Students Entitled to special education services)
A: If you currently hold a regular endorsement-lltth~ elementary (K-6) or secondary
(7-12) level and want to work with students who have mild or moderate disabilities you can work toward a license as an Instructional Strategist I at the K-6 or 7-12 level. A teacher licensed as IS I can work with students who have mild to moderate learning, behavior or mental disabilities (students entitled to special education services).

Q: Do I have other options?
A: You can obtain an Instructional Strategist II in order to work with students who
have sevde-leaming and/or behavior problems, and are between 5 and 21 years old. These students receive "their" education in self-contained classes, special schools, or residential settings.

Q: Can I get a teaching position and work toward licensure?
A: Yes, this is known as a Type C licensure. It is issued to individuals who have
taken 12 credit hours in special education and have accepted a teaching position. The license is issued for two years, which allows an individual to complete the remaining courses in their licensure program during that time.

Q: How do I apply?
A: Complete the application and submit it to the Graduate Education office, AM 219 along with a $25.00 non-refundable fee, a copy of your teaching license, and your transcripts.

Q: When can I apply?
A: The ideal time to apply is in the spring in order to take advantage of the summer session. Students can take up to 9 credit hours. The next time is the in the fall semester where students can take up to 6 credit hours to licensure.

Students without a background in characteristics, assessment and behavior management are discouraged from enrolling in the spring semester.

The program is intensive....
The licensure program was originally designed to be completed in 3 or 4
semesters. That commitment may not be possible due to work and other obligations.

Students are encouraged to create a plan that is more consistent with their commitment but can be done within two years.

Q: Can I transfer courses?
A: Yes, up to 12 hours can be applied to the licensure program, if courses have
similar content and course objectives. Students seeking a Master's Degree can only transfer up to 12 hours of graduate level work.

Q: Is there financial support?
A: Yes. Contact the Financial Aid dept. at 333-6413 and speak to a counselor about amounts available. Tell your counselor that you are enrolled in lor are seeking to enroll in a graduate program.

If I complete the licensure program, can I continue on to a Masters Degree?

Yes, students seeking a MEd take an additional two courses including EDUC 711, Research/Statistics and EDUC 712, Research Project.

Q: Where can I get additional information?
A: For Coursework: Contact Dr. WilliamHitchings
563/333-6413.

For Financial Aid: Contact (563) 333-6413.

For General Information about the graduate program: Contact
McCullochPennyL@sau.edu or phone (563) 322-1034.

Q: What are your responsibilities?
A: You are responsible for making sure your financial aid paperwork is completed,
that you student account is kept current and that applicable paperwork is filed with them so that registration can take place. You are also responsible for making sure the applicable paperwork is sent to the University in order to complete your student file and that a current copy of your teaching license is on file at all times.

Q: What position do you have? (Teaching assignment)
A: Your Administrator's District tell us the typeof licenseyou need.

Q: What are the requirements to apply?
A: Official transcripts from all colleges attended

2 letters of recommendation (from someone other then friends and neighbors);application and $25.00 nonrefundable application fee. A copy of your current teaching license.

Notice will be sent to Financial Aid re: course plan. How many courses
do you need each semester to qualify? Fivecredithoursper semester.

For more information:
Graduate Special Education Department
St. Ambrose University
Professional Arts Building
121 W. Locust, Suite 306
Davenport, IA 52803
563/322-1034 
email:  sped@sau.edu