FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Department of Educational and Psychological Studies

SPECIAL EDUCATION UNDERGRADUATE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS

INITIAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

 

Special Education Program Changes Information Sheet

 

ATTENTION CRICIAL INFORMATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION MAJORS OR INTENDED MAJORS

 

There are important changes occurring in special education certification in the state of Florida. Currently, the State certifies teachers in Emotional Handicaps, Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, and/or Varying Exceptionalities (and other low-incidence areas not offered at FIU). However, beginning July 1, 2004, the state will no longer certify in those categorical areas. Instead, the state will certify teachers in a noncategorical area referred to as Exceptional Student Education (ESE). The ESE certification will allow special educators to teach in all areas of mild disabilities (e.g. learning disabilities, emotional handicaps, mental retardation). Special endorsements can be added for low incidence areas (e.g., severe and profound, autism, visually impaired).  Subsequently, we have had to change are program to reflect the new State requirements.

 

This document will provide you with some basic information that you need to understand these changes and how they reflect your program. HOWEVER, YOU MUST SEE AN ADVISOR TO REVIEW YOUR PROGRAM PERSONALLY. We will work closely with each of you to help you transition into these changes (if you need to be transitioned).  Some of you will not be transitioning into the new program.  Instead, you will be completing your categorical program as it existed when you were accepted. If you successfully complete FIU¼s state approved program in EH, MR, or LD and pass all sections of State exam prior to July 1, 2004, you will be certified in your respective major. It is important that you also understand that your degree and certification will remain highly valued by potential new employers.

 

There are not many new/different courses in the ESE noncategorical program. You will find comparison tables on the next page. We will begin offering the ESE program Fall 2003. Students accepted Fall 2003 or later must be in the ESE program.  Students accepted prior to Fall 2003 will remain in the categorical programs (EH, LD, MR) and will NOT be required to take any additional courses. However, some students (those accepted Summer 2003 and/or those who have taken few classes in the categorical programs), may chose to move into the new ESE program. To help you make this decision, please schedule an appointment with your special education advisor.  We will be offering courses in the categorical program for a few more semesters. We will make certain that each of you has the opportunity to complete the program that you were accepted under.    

 

Comparison of the Categorical (EH,LD,MR,VE) and ESE  program.

 

Courses Identical in Categorical Programs (w/ ESOL) and New ESE Program (w/ ESOL)

 

 

…       EDP 3004 Educational Psychology

…       EDF 4634 Cultural and Social Foundations of Education

…       EDG 3321 General Instructional Decision Making

…       EEX 3012 Educational Needs of Students with Disabilities

…       TSL 4141 ESOL Issues: Principles and Practices II

…       TSL 3370 ESOL Principles and Practices I

…       EEX 3243 Instructional & Assistive Technology in SPED

…       EEX 3221 Assessment of Students with Exceptionalities

…       EEX 4240  Literacy in Special Education

…       SPA 3000 Acquisition of Speech and Language Skills

 

 

 

…       *RED 4311: Teaching Intermediate Literacy OR RED 4325 Reading in the Content Areas

…       RED 4150 Teaching Primary Literacy

…       MAE 4310 Teaching Elementary Math

…       EEX 4601 Behavioral Approaches to Classroom Learning I

…       EEX 4940 Field Experience in Special Education

…       EEX 4810 Supervised Practicum in Special Education

…       EEX 4861 Student Teaching

…       EEX 4936 Student Teaching Seminar

 

*  We have eliminated the choice in the new program.  We are now requiring RED 4325. However, will accept either during transition period.

 

 

Course Changes from Categorical Programs (w ESOL) to New ESE Program

 

Courses in Categorical/ESOL Programs Only

(Courses not in new ESE program)

New Courses in ESE Program Only

 

MRLD/EH

 

…       EEX 3202 Personal Foundations Transitional Services for Individuals with Disabilities

…       EED 4212: Behavioral Approaches to Classroom Learning I

 

Emotional Handicaps

 

…       EED 4243 Strategies for Teaching Students with Emotional Handicaps

…       EED 4244 Curriculum for Teaching Students with Emotional Handicaps

 

Learning Disabilities

 

…       ELD 4230 Strategies for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities

…       ELD 4230 Curriculum for Teaching Students with Learning Disabilities

 

Mental Retardation Program

 

…       EMR 4362 Strategies for Teaching Students with Mental Handicaps

…       EMR 4221 Curriculum for Teaching Students with Mental Handicaps

 

…       EEX 3xxx Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings

…       EDP 3218 Classroom Management

…       EEX 3xxx Instructional Practices in Exceptional Student Education I

…       EEX 4xxx Instructional Practices in Exceptional Student Education II

Questions and Answers about Changes in Special Education Certification

 

  1. Does the new ESE program require more credits than the categorical programs?

 

No, the categorical programs and the new ESE program have the same number of credits-67 upper division credits (or 127 credits total lower division and upper division).

 

  1. How will I know if I am in one of the categorical programs (EH, LD, MR) or the new ESE program?

 

If you are accepted into FIU¼s Special Education Program Fall 2003 or later, you are in the new ESE noncategorical program. If you are still an intended major, you will placed in the ESE program upon acceptance. If your official acceptance letter was prior to Fall 2003, you are in one of the categorical programs.  However, if you were accepted prior to Fall 2003 and you may choose to move into the new ESE program, this can be done.  However, you must meet with your special education advisor for questions about your programming specifically.   

 

3.     I was accepted into the program Fall 2003, but have registered for EEX 3202 during Fall 2003, and that course is no longer in the program.  What should I do?

 

We are giving you a choice during this transition period. You can choose to stay in EEX 3202: Personal Foundations Transitional Services for Individuals with Disabilities during Fall 2003. If you do, we will do a course substitution for EEX 3xxx Teaching Students with Disabilities in Inclusive Settings. You also have the option of dropping EEX 3202 within the official drop period and registering for a required ESE program course that is available.

 

4.     I was accepted in EH, LD, or MR prior to Fall 2003. Will I still have the opportunity to complete my program?

 

Yes, we are committed to see you finish the program that you were accepted under.

 

5.     I have been taking courses in the EH, LD, or MR programs for several semesters, but have not been officially accepted (due to CLAST or GPA issues).  When I get accepted, will I be in the new ESE program?

 

Yes, anyone accepted Fall 2003 or later will be in the new ESE program. It is critical for you to meet with your special education advisor to plan your remaining ESE program courses. There may be opportunities for some course substitutions.

 

6.     I plan to graduate Spring 2004 in EH, LD, or MR. Should I take the categorical subject-area exam or the ESE exam?

 

In order to meet our graduation requirements, you can take either the categorical (EH, LD, MR) or noncategorical exam (ESE). You must pass one to graduate. Keep in mind that you will be certified by the state of Florida based on which subject area exam(s) you take and pass (e.g., EH, LD, MR, ESE). If you want a certification in a categorical area and the ESE certification, you could take both subject area exams.