Idaho Special Education Certification & Requirements

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Special Education in Idaho

The Division of Special Education of the Idaho State Department of Education (SDE) oversees all policies regarding teaching special education in the state. The employment outlook for special education teachers in Idaho is not as promising as in the nearby states of California and Nevada. According to the U.S. Department of Education, students receiving special education services make up 10 percent of the total student population in Idaho, three percentage points below the national average. Because Idaho is a relatively sparsely-populated state, the public school system only employs about 870 special education teachers. According to Concordia University’s Idaho: Special Education (SPED) Outlook webpage, the U.S. Department of Education has ranked Idaho’s special education services as “Needing Intervention.”

Licensure Requirements

For Undergraduates

At the undergraduate level, students can enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in education; however, they will need to complete a teacher preparation program with an endorsement or emphasis in their chosen area of special education to meet state licensure requirements. An accelerated degree program that results in a bachelor’s degree as well as a teaching certificate and an endorsement to teach special education can help students get into the classroom in less time.(See descriptions of two of these accelerated programs in the section below, “Where to Get a Special Education Degree in Idaho.”)

For Graduates

Graduates must complete a special education teaching certification program that meets the standards of both the Idaho State Board of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or pursue a master’s degree that includes the special education coursework required for state certification.

Types of Teaching Certificates

The SDE’s Education Certification/Credential guidelines lists the types of education certificates awarded in Idaho. They include:

Initial Certificate/Credential for Idaho Graduates (the certificate pursued by new special education teachers)
Initial Certificate/Credential for Interim Certificate Completers
Postsecondary Specialist Certificate
Interim Certificate/Credential for American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) Applicants
Certificate/Credential for Professional-Technical Education

Reciprocity

Candidates who hold a valid teaching credential from another state can apply for the Certificate/Credential for Out-of-State Applicants; however, their current credential must be from a teacher preparation program that meets the standards of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and has State Board of Education (SBOE) approval. For the most up-to-date requirements, see the SDE’s Certificate/Credential for Out-of-State Candidates guidelines. Candidates who earned their certificates outside of the United States can apply for the Interim Certificate/Credential for Educators Trained in Foreign Institutions. Their applications must include a written evaluation of their teaching credential and transcripts, attesting that their qualifications are equivalent to those earned through a teacher preparation program in the United States. View the list of approved evaluators at http://www.naces.org/members.htm.

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Special Education Teaching Programs in Idaho

Boise State University’s Department of Special Education and Early Childhood Studies offers several degree programs for individuals pursuing a career in special education. The Special Education-Elementary Education program and the Special Education-Subject Area Endorsement program are both undergraduate courses of study that result in special education teaching certification. The school also offers the Post-Baccalaureate Certification, a special education certification program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree. Students pursuing a master’s degree have two options, the Master of Arts in Special Education (for those more interested in research) and the Master of Education in Special Education (for those primarily interested in teaching). The small, very green city of Pocatello is the site of Idaho State University. Its Department of School Psychology, Literacy, & Special Education offers several graduate programs for individuals interested in special education: the Education Specialist in Special Education, the Master of Education in Human Exceptionality (with an option to emphasize Special Education) and the Master of Education in Deaf Education.

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

Certification Alternatives

Idaho requires all teachers working in public school special education settings to be Highly Qualified Teachers (HQTs). However, if a candidate does not hold the appropriate special education teaching credential, the SDE offers alternative methods for gaining approval to teach in Idaho’s public school classrooms. According to the SDE’s Alternative Routes to Teaching guidelines, an employer in select school districts can request an emergency authorization to hire an uncertified teacher while that teacher completes the requirements for certification. The SDE grants several types of alternative authorizations depending upon the position and situation.

Working in Special Education in Idaho

Public schools

Those interested in special education teaching positions should refer to specific school districts’ websites. The State of Idaho’s webpage lists all Idaho school districts. The largest school districts in Idaho tend to have more career opportunities for special educators; these districts include Boise City ISD, Meridian Joint SD, Pocatello, Nampa, Idaho Falls and Coeur D’Alene.

Private schools

The Idaho Learning Center is located in Nampa and serves students who have learning disabilities or dyslexia.
Northwest Children’s Home operates three non-profit K-12 education centers and offers both residential and day programs.

Other programs

Idaho Virtual Academy hires certified special educators to work with its online student body.
Serving special education students in southwest Idaho, the Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency (COSSA) is a public school cooperative that offers a full range of services and programs. An application for a certified position is available a thttps://www.cossaschools.org/career-opportunities.

Professional Development

The SDE’s Special Education Division funds the Idaho Training Clearinghouse (ITC), which lists training programs, hosts webinars and provides resources for general educators and those working with special needs populations. Teachers can also take part in for-credit professional development opportunities through the ITC. Idaho State University’s College of Education offers ongoing professional development courses for school districts and, at times, preservice teachers at the undergraduate level. The Web page for the Intermountain Center For Education Effectiveness links to upcoming classes and registration requirements.

Idaho Professional Groups for Special Education Teachers

The Idaho Education Association (IEA) is the Idaho affiliate of the National Education Association. Its members include current educators as well as retired teachers and teachers in training. Membership is voluntary.
The Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD) advocates with and on behalf of those with developmental disabilities in Idaho.

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Idaho Special Education Bloggers

DisAbility Rights Idaho Blog:The DisAbility Rights advocacy group contributes to this blog about issues, news, controversies and policies concerning people with disabilities in Idaho.
Idaho Education News: The official blog of the SDE covers education policy and programs in Idaho and beyond.