California Special Education Certification & Requirements

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Special Education in California

California is a large and densely-populated state with several major urban and suburban school districts, meaning that people interested in careers in special education have excellent prospects. The state of California serves nearly 690,000 students with disabilities as of the 2011-2012 school year, according to the California Legislative Analyst’s Office. This number includes students mainstreamed in the California public school system, as well as in a variety of settings such as daycare programs, preschools, classrooms with a special needs designation, community programs and workplaces.

Licensure Requirements

The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) has recently transitioned to awarding preliminary and clear teaching credentials instead of Level I and Level II credentials. Prospective special educators can learn about California’s new pathway to certification at http://teachcalifornia.org/Steps/Special.

For Undergraduates

Undergraduate students who want to teach in a special education setting must first earn a bachelor’s degree, as well as complete an Education Specialist Credential program approved by the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing. They must also satisfy the state’s basic skills requirement (demonstrated by testing), demonstrate competence in the subject matter they wish to teach and, in some cases, demonstrate competence in reading instruction. This results in a preliminary credential, which is valid for five years.

For Graduates

Students who already possess a bachelor’s degree in any subject area can enter an accredited teacher preparation program or credential program with an emphasis in special education. For a clear credential, educators must complete an Approved Special Education Induction Program as well as meet other requirements.

Types of Certificates

The CTC’s Special Education (Education Specialist Instruction) Credentials webpage describes the current licenses issued. To qualify for a Preliminary Education Specialist Instruction Credential (previously categorized as Level I), you must earn a bachelor’s degree and complete an Educational Specialist Credential program, as well as demonstrate subject matter mastery and pass teacher preparation exams. To qualify for a Clear Education Specialist Instruction Credential (previously categorized as Level II), candidates do not need teaching experience. Instead, they participate in a CTC-approved Induction Program tailored to emphasize special education. Would-be and current special education teachers can also apply for an Added Authorization in a specific area of special education, including Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Moderate/Severe Disabilities, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairments, Physical and Health Impairment, Language and Academic Development and Early Childhood Special Education. For more information, consult the CTC’s leaflet,”Education Specialist Instruction Credential.”

Reciprocity

According to the CTC’s special education FAQ webpage, individuals who have earned special education teaching certificates in states other than California can be considered qualified to teach special education in California public schools if they completed their bachelor’s degree or higher at an accredited school; if they graduated from a special education teacher preparation program that included at least 24 units in special education and that had a student teaching component; and if their special education teaching credential is in the same state where they completed their program. International candidates can apply for an initial credential with the CTC, provided that they have a valid foreign transcript in undergraduate and education programs and proof of eligibility for issuance of a teaching credential in a foreign country.

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Special Education Teaching Programs

The California State University of Fullerton, located at the northern edge of Orange County, has a diverse campus close to major school districts. It offers several options for those pursuing advanced degrees and certification in special education. Students seeking licensure can opt for an Intern credential, a Preliminary Mild/Moderate credential, a Preliminary Moderate/Severe credential, a Preliminary Early Childhood credential or a Clear (Professional Level II) Education Specialist credential in one of the three aforementioned areas of focus. Fullerton also offers the Streamlined Teacher Education Program (STEP), which results in a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential, as well as the On-Track Scholar program, which recruits individuals who want to change careers to work in special education. The California State University of Northridge is a large university located in the San Fernando Valley. It offers a number of accelerated programs for students who want to earn their teaching credential or special education authorization, including an Intern Program and Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) program (both for those with bachelor’s degrees), as well as an Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP) for undergraduates. The Los Angeles County Office of Education administrates Beginning Teacher Programs that offer credential options and professional development in special education. These programs include a District Intern program and a Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment Induction Program for teaching candidates and current teachers seeking certification.

For profiles of all the schools in California that offer master’s in special education programs, click here.

Alternatives to Certification

The California Teacher Corps provides alternative certification for candidates who are already employed by a school, have a bachelor’s degree and have completed at least a semester’s worth of courses in education. Teachers must demonstrate deep content expertise to qualify to teach in a specialized area such as special education, and must complete a number of requirements after being issued an intern credential.

Special Education Jobs

Public schools

The California Department of Education (CalEd) maintains a website devoted to special education resources, services, requirements and employment in California. Browse through the links on the Services & Resources page and scroll to the bottom to see information regarding TEACH California, a program that helps potential special education teachers navigate the requirements and certification process for areas of education experiencing teacher shortages in California, including special education.
CalEd has created a list of the state’s largest school districts, providing several employment leads for educators seeking jobs in public schools.The five districts with the highest enrollment are Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, Long Beach Unified, Fresno Unified and Elk Grove Unified.

Private schools

Private School Review offers a list of special education private schools in California. Among the larger schools are Charles Armstrong School in Belmont, the Speech & Language Development Center and Rossier Park School (both in Buena Park), Kayne Ersa Center in Culver City, Tobinworld in Glendale, Village Glen School and Vista School (both in Los Angeles), Carolyn El Wylie Center for Children, Youth & Families in Riverside, Aldar Academy in Sacramento, Sam & Rose Stein Education Center in San Diego and Summit View School in Valley Glen.

Other programs

According to CalEd’s Home & Hospital Instruction webpage, qualified teachers seeking positions for homebound or hospital patients in need of special education services should contact their local school districts.

Professional Development

The Least Restrictive Environment Resources Project provides print resources, videos, consultations and training for school sites and districts in California. California Services for Technical Assistance and Training (CalStat) is an organization operated by the Special Education Division of the California Department of Education; it publishes a quarterly newsletter and conducts training for educators at school sites, as well as provides online learning opportunities. The California Teachers Association (CTA) maintains a calendar of conferences, workshops and trainings of interest to general classroom teachers and special education professionals, as well as produces several publications designed to help California teachers stay informed.

Professional Groups for California Special Education Teachers

The state teachers union, the CTA, has a membership consisting of California’s teachers in public schools, community colleges and public colleges. The Advisory Commission on Special Education (ACSE) is an advisory body that concerns itself with California’s compliance with research, program development and evaluation in the area of special education. Overseen by appointed members from the Speaker of the Assembly, the Senate Committee on Rules, the office of the Governor and the State Board of Education, the ACSE also has a membership comprised of educators, parents, people with disabilities, administrators and legislative representatives from the Assembly and Senate.

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Special Education Bloggers in California

Making Special Education Actually Work: Anne M. Zachry moderates this blog, which publishes posts from special education advocates. Much of the content addresses news and statistics related to special education in California.
Kinders First: This blog provides a day-by-day account of the work of a special education teacher in Santa Fe Springs, California.
SpecialEducationAdvisor.com: With a subtitle of “Special Education and IEP Advisor,” this blog has a broad scope and provides relevant information for people involved with special needs populations.