Alaska Special Education Certification & Requirements

Featured Programs:

Special Education in Alaska

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that 13.7 percent of students in Alaska are assigned Individualized Education Programs, which is slightly above the national average of 13 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Education, Alaska “Meets Requirements” in regard to its services to students with disabilities, the department’s highest rating. The state has 53 public school districts, containing 516 public schools and 25 charter schools, as well as 64 private schools. The Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (EED) and its Office of Special Education Programs oversee state services to students with disabilities.

Licensure Requirements

For Undergraduates

According to the teacher certification section of the EED website, the base requirement for all educators in Alaska is to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. Undergraduates seeking to become special education teachers typically major in education or special education, although other majors can be completed in conjunction with an EED-approved course of study in teacher preparation.

For Graduates

Completing a stand-alone teacher preparation program qualifies a college graduate for initial Alaska educator licensure. Gradates can also opt to pursue an endorsement in special education or earn a graduate degree in a field of education or special education, so long as the coursework and fieldwork meet all EED requirements for initial certification.

Alaska Teaching Certificates

The EED issues several types of teaching certificates in Alaska:

The Initial Teacher Certificate is for new teachers who have a bachelor’s degree in education or special education.
The Second Initial Teacher Certificate is issued when a first Initial or Provisional Certificate expires and a teacher has not yet completed two years of teaching or passed the state-mandated subject matter exam.
The Professional Teacher Certificate is for candidates with two years of classroom teaching experience who have met all coursework, professional development and testing requirements.
The Master Teacher Certificate is for educators who have National Board certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Reciprocity

Alaska does not offer long-term reciprocity for educators trained out-of-state. However, the Alaska Teacher Placement website indicates that the EED will issue educators who hold out-of-state licenses a non-renewable Tier I Initial certificate. During the life of this certificate, educators must complete Alaska requirements for licensure.

FIND SCHOOLS

Teacher Certification Programs

Located in the coastal city of Juneau, the University of Alaska Southeast has a sizable School of Education, offering multiple degree and certificate options. For undergraduates, the bachelor’s degree in special education awards Alaska educator licensure in special education for grades K-12; this program is available both on the Juneau campus and online. For graduate students, both the Master of Education in special education and the Master of Arts in Teaching in special education accommodate working professionals by holding in-person classes in the evenings and weekends and offering additional courses via teleconference and digital learning formats. For a stand-alone licensure program, consider the graduate certificate in special education. The Anchorage location of the University of Alaska also offers several options for aspiring special educators through its Department of Counseling and Special Education. Courses of study include master’s degrees in special education, early childhood special education and speech language pathology. Students can also earn an Initial Graduate Certificate in special education or a Graduate Certificate in special education.

For information on master’s in special education programs in Alaska, click here.

Alternatives to Certification

Alaska offer no alternatives to certification.

Special Education Jobs

Public schools

Alaska Teacher Placement, a project of the University of Alaska, features an interactive tool that allows educators to explore Alaska’s regions by map to locate jobs. You can also search for jobs by district and category.
The Anchorage School District maintains an online employment board listing classified and certified vacancies in its public schools.

Private schools

The Alaska Association of Independent Schools provides links to the state’s quality private and alternative educational institutions.

Other programs

In Anchorage, the Alaska State School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides educational services and resources for students from preschool through grade 12.

Professional Development

The Alaska Statewide Mentor Project pairs experienced educators with new teachers to refine teaching practices, provide guidance and boost classroom success. The Special Education Service Agency offers instructional support, special education trainings and itinerant outreach services to Alaska’s students with low-incidence disabilities. Southeast Regional Resource Center offers community programs and direct support for individuals with disabilities, as well as training and services for schools and districts.

Alaska Special Education Teacher Organizations

The state union representing public educators is NEA-Alaska. The state’s largest district also has a union for its educators, the Anchorage Education Association.
Mandated by federal law, the Governor’s Council on Disabilities & Special Education Services consists of special educators and community stakeholders. The group meets to interpret policy as it applies to Alaska students with disabilities. The council also maintains a Facebook page.
Special educators volunteer to help coordinate the programs and events sponsored by the Alaska Council for Exceptional Children.

FIND SCHOOLS

Alaska Special Education Blogs

Alaska Education Update: This group blog features news and views on legislation, policies and practices concerning Alaska general and special educators and their students.
ASD Connect: Browse the current e-newsletter of the Anchorage School District online, or sign up for regular e-delivery.