Montana Special Education Certification & Requirements

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Montana Special Education

The percentage of students in Montana with special needs is slightly lower than the national average: Ed.gov indicates that 12 percent of Montana’s student population has been identified as having disabilities, compared to 13 percent nationwide. The state has a relatively small total population of just over one million people, and as a result, Montana employs only 842 special education teachers, according to Concordia University. Education Week reports that the U.S. Department of Education ranks Montana’s ability to meet special education targets as “Needs Assistance,” as of the 2010/2011 school year. The Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) oversees the Montana Division of Special Education, which is responsible for the state’s public school and state-operated programs for students with special needs.

Licensure Requirements

For Undergraduates

At the undergraduate level, students who want to teach in special education settings in Montana can major in special education or a specialty area within special education. To be eligible for licensure, students need to enroll in a teacher preparation program that’s approved by the OPI and obtain teaching experience.

For Graduates

Graduate students can meet the requirements for state licensure in special education teaching by earning a master’s degree in a relevant area of concentration. Those who are already licensed teachers can add an endorsement in special education through a specialized graduate program.

Types of Licenses

The educator licensure section of the OPI website describes the different types of teaching certificates and the requisite academic and professional experience for earning them. The Class 1 Professional Teaching License is for candidates holding a master’s degree who have completed an accredited teacher preparation program and have three years of teaching experience. The Class 2 Standard Teaching License is for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree and have completed a teacher preparation program, either during their undergraduate study or after it.

Reciprocity

Montana’s policy regarding reciprocity states that educators holding a valid teaching certificate from an out-of-state institution must complete the entire Montana licensure process to obtain certification to teach within the state, and must meet the same requirements as in-state candidates. Thus, teachers from other states who obtained licensure through an alternative licensing program may not be eligible for licensure without additional education and/or experience. For more information, consult the OPI’s guide to certification.

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Special Education Teaching Degrees in Montana

The Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of Montana offers three program options for those interested in working in special education settings in Montana. The first option is coursework resulting in both an elementary or secondary teaching license with an endorsement in special education; the second option is a special education endorsement-only program for individuals already holding a teaching license; the final option is a Master of Education program with an endorsement in special education. Located in Missoula, this campus has repeatedly been named as one of the most environmentally responsible, greenest colleges in the country by The Princeton Review. Participants in the OPI’s Special Education Endorsement Project fulfill the requirements of this program at Montana State University Billings. This school also offers dual bachelor’s degree programs that combine a degree in special education with a degree in elementary or special education, as well as several master’s degrees in special education.

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

Alternative Certification

The Class 5 Alternative License is an option for individuals who want to be special education teachers and meet some but not all of the requirements for a Class 1 or Class 2 license. Those who are granted this license must agree to fulfill the requirements of a standard credential within three years, as outlined in a Plan of Professional Intent. Consult the OPI’s alternative license guidelines for more information. The OPI Special Education Endorsement Project permits school districts to fill vacant positions with individuals who hold a Class 1 or Class 2 Montana Teaching Certificate, but who do not have a special education endorsement. Teachers in this program must complete the requirements of a special education endorsement within three years and agree to teach in a special education setting in Montana for at least two years.

Teaching Special Education in Montana

Public schools

The largest public school districts in Montana employ the most teachers; these districts include Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and Helena. However, the more rural districts tend to contain the schools experiencing qualified teacher shortages, particularly in the area of special education. The OPI uses a Rural Isolation Score to determine the areas of greatest need in the state; counties identified as having at least one school with the highest level of rural isolation (as of the 2011/2012 school year) include Big Horn, Blaine, Hill, Pondera, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sanders and Valley. The Montana Jobs for Teachers website lists current openings from throughout the state and provides a universal application that is accepted by the majority of Montana schools.

Private schools

Private special education schools in Montana include Yellowstone Academy (in Billings) and Intermountain (in Helena).

Other programs

Located in Great Falls, the Montana School for the Deaf & Blind administrates day and residential programs for deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired-children. View open job opportunities at this school at http://msdb.mt.gov/about/job-opportunities.html.

Professional Development

OPI’s guide to Professional Development Resources list programs and resources for educators seeking professional development credits. Their program, the Montana Comprehensive System of Personnel Development, offers pre-service and in-service programs for general and special educators.

Montana Professional Groups for Special Education Teachers

The MEA-MFT (a merger of the Montana Education Association and the Montana Federation of Teachers) is open to active and retired public service employees. About 18,000 public school teachers, school personnel, state and county government employees, municipal employees, higher education faculty, health care workers, Head Start staff and teachers in training comprise the membership. Dues depend upon income.
The Montana Rural Education Association (MREA) advocates on behalf of rural school districts to ensure that students, teachers, personnel and programs receive appropriate funding and that these districts have control over the schools within them.
The Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities consists of governor-appointed members who advocate for improved inclusion, integration and quality of life for Montana children and adults with developmental disabilities.

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Montana Special Education Bloggers

Montana Autism Education Project: This organization provides webinars, news stories and information on studies affecting individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Secondary Transition: Nikki Sandve and Sara Casey maintain this blog as part of OPI’s Special Education Division. They address issues concerning students with special needs at the secondary level who are preparing to transition to schools, training programs or employment.