Becoming SPED Certified for Current Educators

Currently, two options exist to become appropriately certified to teach in a SPED classroom.

• You can obtain a full SPED certificate after completing an approved program.
• If you already have a teaching certificate, you can obtain a SPED endorsement as a more efficient path to become eligible to teach in a SPED classroom.

GETSET and SETTA Tuition Assistance Programs:

Every spring, we look forward to reviewing applications for our two "grow your own" opportunities for educators in Arizona public schools.

• The General Education Teacher to Special Education Teacher (GETSET) program provides tuition reimbursement to certified general education teachers who want to pursue special education teaching certification.
• The Special Education Teacher Tuition Assistance (SETTA) program provides tuition reimbursement to paraprofessionals and educational interpreters who want to pursue special education teaching certification.

The applications linked below contain detailed information about eligibility requirements, the selection process, and the types of certifications that can be acquired. Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2021.

General Education Teacher to Special Education Teacher (GETSET) Application

Special Education Teacher Tuition Assistance (SETTA) Application

For additional information, please email Aanya Rispoli at [email protected] or call (602) 364-4022.

Resources for new SPED teachers and Related Service Providers

Coming This Summer: Teach Camp 2.0!

Teach Camp is a year-long support system for beginning special education teachers. The goal of Teach Camp is to increase the retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom. Teach Camp is designed for special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2021 and will kick off July 7–9, 2021 (online). Registration is coming soon. For more information, visit the Teach Camp webpage.

Retention of Related Service Providers

Exceptional Student Services recently hosted targeted professional learning opportunities for school psychologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs), Approximately 700 school psychologists and school-based SLPs attended these free virtual trainings in February. Be on the lookout for additional professional learning opportunities for related service providers coming soon!

Please email us with any questions at [email protected]