California Educator

October/November 2021

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C H A N G E S A R E C O M I N G to education specialist creden- tials that will authorize holders to serve a broader range of students, rolling out in teacher preparation programs next summer. Current education specialist credential holders will be able, at their sole discretion, to pursue bridge authoriza- tions to the new credentials. The new education specialist structure consolidates seven credential areas into five by integrating the Language and Academic Development and the Physical and Health Impair- ments credentials into each of the other credential areas. The scope of authorizations under the current Mild/Moderate, Moderate/Severe, and Early Childhood Special Education credentials is expanded under the new structure of Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN), Extensive Support Needs (ESN), and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), while the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Visual Impairments credentials carry forward unchanged. Under the current structure, Mild/Moderate and Moder- ate/Severe credential holders are limited to serving students within specific federal disability categories. The new MMSN and ESN credentials will allow holders to serve a broader range of students based on the intensity of their needs while maintaining compliance with federal law. Holders of the new credentials would continue to be authorized to support students from transitional kindergarten up to age 22. The new ECSE credential expands the range of federal disability categories a holder is authorized to support, while expanding the age range to birth through kindergarten. Optional bridge authorizations The system of bridge authorizations for current education specialist credential holders mirrors the authorizations for new preliminary credentials. The new credentials are aligned with modified Teacher Performance Expectations ( TPE) that reflect the expanded authorizations. Current credential holders seeking a bridge authorization will need to demonstrate mastery of the modified TPEs in the new MMSN, ESN and ECSE credentials. This can be done several ways, including completing coursework offered by authorized teacher preparation programs, engaging in pro- fessional development, and demonstrating competence as verified by local school districts. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) will not issue bridge authorizations prior to Jan. 1, 2023. The proposed regulations for the revised education specialist credentials are available on the CTC website at ctc.ca.gov/commission/notices/rulemaking, while information related to their implementation can be found at ctc.ca.gov/educator‑prep/special‑education. New Special Education Credentials Coming Option for bridge authorizations available for current holders By Julian Peeples 45 O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 21 T

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