TWIN FALLS — In an effort to ease the certification process for special-education teachers in Idaho, the State Board of Education has announced the Special Ed Para > Teacher Program.
The program is a combined effort of five colleges and universities in Idaho, including the College of Southern Idaho.
It is designed for para educators who have already earned an associate’s degree, and would like to become fully certified special-education instructors. Instructors who complete the program will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, the Exceptional Child Certificate and a teaching endorsement for kindergarten through 12th grade.
The qualifications would certify the instructor to teach special education in Idaho.
All states are struggling to hire and retain special-education instructors, who are required to possess additional training under the federal No Child Left Behind act. Under the act, special-education instructors must be certified in special ed and have a degree in the academic field they wish to teach.
Because of the lengthy and costly education requirements, fewer people are pursuing jobs in special education.
Now it’s leaving a gap in the education workforce.
Some schools in Idaho offer incentives to teachers who consider careers in special education. They include signing bonuses, financial assistance toward education leading to certification and other incentives.
The new program will help para educators, who are already helping students with special needs, to earn the certification they need to be fully accredited instructors.
Most of the courses will be available online in order to reach para educators who do not live near a college or university.
Times-News writer Joshua Palmer covers education. He can be reached at
jpalmer@magicvalley.com
