Special Education:
Teaching’s best kept secret !!
Welcome!
12/16/2020
Presenter:
Cheryl McDonald,
Credential Coordinator
12/16/2020
Before we begin....
- Please write your questions on sticky notes provided at your table.
- Questions will answered at the end of the presentation.
Why Consider Special Education?
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Why Consider Special Education ?
- Teach wonderful and interesting kids the way they learn!
- Highest demand need in education nationwide !
- Teaching positions always available
- Teach in any grade K- age 22
- Paid internship available while taking classes
- Salary, benefits and retirement competitive
Why Consider Special Education ?
- Variety of career opportunities :
- Public, nonpublic, and charter school programs
- Inclusive settings and co-taught classrooms
- Resource classrooms
- Separate classrooms
- Special schools
- Clinics
- Residential facilities
- Hospitals
- Agencies
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What Is Special Education?
What Is Special Education ?
- Teaching the way kids learn!
- All students can learn.
- Specialized credential to provide services to children with one or more of 13 identified
disabilities
- Teach/co-teach a variety of content areas
- In grades K- age 22
- In GE, SPED or both settings
- In Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe
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Mild/Moderate Disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectual disability
- Health impairments
- Emotional disturbance
- Autism
- Speech or language delays
What Could This Look Like?
Students may have difficulty:
- Processing new information
- Remembering new information
- Applying new information
- Following directions
- Communicating
- Paying attention
- Getting and staying organized
- Finding important items [keys, homework, etc.]
- Studying
- Making and keeping friendships
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Activity
At the signal, trace over the lines below while counting LOUDLY from 2,067 to 3,019.
Moderate/Severe Disabilities
- Complex disabilities which affect learning
- Autism
- Intellectual disability
- Deafness & hard of hearing
- Visual impairments & blindness
- Physical impairments
- Traumatic brain injury
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What Could This Look Like?
Students may have difficulty:
- Communicating
- Sensory issues
- Movement issues
- Intellectual challenges
- Remembering new information
- Applying new information
Activity
Close your eyes. Imagine yourself in each scenario.
- You are blind. Find your way to your car tonight using only a cane.
- You cannot communicate verbally. Tell someone what you want to eat for lunch.
- You are paralyzed from the waist down, are in a wheelchair and are at a party. Someone asks you to dance.
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Pathway Options
Pathway Options
- Education Specialist credential in Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe disabilities [grades K-age 22]
- Dual credentials- Multiple Subject and Education Specialist
- “Add on” Education Specialist credential to a valid CA Single or Multiple Subject credential
- Internships- Begin teaching in own classroom while taking courses
- Residencies- receive stipend while taking classes
- Master of Arts in Special Education
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Education Specialist Program
- 3 semester full-time program
- Courses offered late afternoons- evenings
- Student teach or intern in public schools during the day with District Master Teacher and University Coach support
- May accept paid internship in Phase 2 and 3
- BAP Option
- Includes streamlined Master of Arts in Special Education with only 13 more units
Dual Credential Program
- 2 credentials in one integrated program
- Multiple Subject Grades TK-8 and
- Education Specialist grades TK- age 22
- BAP option
- 4 semester full-time program
- Courses offered late afternoons- evenings
- Student teach or intern in public schools during the day with District Master Teacher and University Coach support
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“Add on” Education Specialist Program
- ‘Add on’ the ES Credential to a valid CA Multiple or Single Subject Credential
- Streamlined program of SPED courses
- Courses offered late afternoons- evenings
- Student teach or intern in public schools during the day with District Master Teacher and University Coach support
Brain Break!
- Please stand
- Imitate the same body positions you will see in this activity
- Have fun!
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University Internship Program
- Hired and paid by school district to teach in your own classroom while taking credential
coursework
- ES only: may accept paid internship in Phase 2 and 3
- Dual: may accept paid internship in Phases 3 and 4
- “Add on”: may accept internship immediately
Residencies
- Fast-track ES or Dual program in Clovis Unified or Fresno Unified
- Evening program
- Student teaching during day in district
- District provides $13,000 stipend towards tuition
- Guaranteed 3 year teaching position after program completion
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Master of Arts in Special Education
- Streamlined Master of Arts in Special Education
- Only 13 extra units [2 semesters] after completing ES, Dual or ‘add on’ ES credential
program [2 semesters]
- 5 credential courses double count for both credential and MA coursework
- Evening program
- Teach during day
Brain break !
- Pair up.
- One partner quickly reads aloud each color in the rows of words.
- Now switch so the partner can try this.
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Summary of Pathway Options
| Education Specialist | Dual | ‘Add on’ SS or MS teachers |
Internship | Residency | MA in Special Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
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Next Steps
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Admission Requirements
| Degree/GPA | Examinations | Additional Items |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic Skills*
AND Subject Matter Competency*
OR
|
|
*Flexible Admissions until August 31, 2021 due to COVID-19. Exams Required to Complete Program.
Next Steps
2-3 semesters before desired start:
- ✓ Register for and take CBEST examinations
- ✓ Register for and take all 3 Multiple Subject CSETs
if no CCTC-approved Liberal Studies waiver
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Next Steps
1 month before application window opens
- ✓ Collect documentation [test scores; get fingerprinted]
- ✓ Ask for recommendation letters on forms
- ✓ Complete Mandated Reporter training [6 hours]
- ✓ Write personal narrative
When application window opens
- ✓ Schedule your oral interview.
- ✓ Complete all e-application items and submit packet early
Financial Aid and Scholarships
- Complete FAFSA form
- Check with Financial Aid to see if eligible for grants, scholarships and loans
- Search online for federal and state-funded grants, scholarships and loan forgiveness
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Questions?
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