CERTIFICATION INFO: New Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities Endorsements

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that the State Board of Education has approved the new Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities endorsements. The endorsements were developed with input from the ADE Certification Unit, Exceptional Student Services, superintendents, human resources directors, and special education directors in order to provide an additional pathway for certified and experienced general education teachers to teach special education.

Certified teachers may apply for either a provisional or a full endorsement in mild/moderate or moderate/severe disabilities special education. The provisional endorsement is valid for three years and is nonrenewable.

The requirements for the provisional special education endorsements are:

• A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate; and
• Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in preschool through grade twelve; and
• Six semester hours of specified special education courses; and
• Verification of 15 clock hours of special education practicum, which may be embedded in the six semester hours of courses.

The requirements for the full special education endorsements are:

• A valid Arizona Standard Professional Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle Grades, Secondary, or Special Education teaching certificate; and
• Verification of three years of full-time teaching experience in preschool through grade twelve; and
• Fifteen (15) semester hours of specified special education courses; and
• Verification of 45 clock hours of special education practicum, which may be embedded in the 15 semester hours of courses.

FAQs

Why were the Mild/Moderate and Moderate/Severe Disabilities endorsements adopted?

Under previous State Board rules, certified general education teachers were required to enroll in an alternative teacher preparation program in order to transition into a special education classroom. The additional costs and repetitious training involved in completing the additional program presented a barrier to certified general education teachers seeking a credential to teach special education. The new endorsements remove this barrier by allowing certified and experienced teachers to qualify to teach special education by completing targeted coursework needed to be in a special education classroom.

Will the new special education endorsements replace the Alternative or Standard Professional certificate in Mild/Moderate or Moderate/Severe Disabilities?

No. The new endorsements are an additional option to become certified in special education. Candidates may also apply for the Alternative or Standard Professional special education certificates.

I only have one year of teaching experience. Can I qualify for the new special education endorsements?

No. You must have three years of full-time teaching experience in PreK-12 to qualify for the endorsements. However, you may enroll in an alternative teacher preparation program to qualify for the Alternative Teaching certificate in special education. For further information, please download the Application for the Alternative Teaching Certificate.

Where can I find further information on how to qualify for the endorsement?

You may download the requirements for the new endorsements at the ADE Educator Certification web page.

Please email ADE/Certification with questions or contact them by phone at 602-542-4367.