Section 340.1771. Director of special education; education and experience requirements.

(1) For full approval,  a  director  of  special  education  shall possess all of the following minimum qualifications:

(a)   A master's degree or higher.

(b)   Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.

(c)   Three years  of  successful  professional  practice  or  administrative experience in special education, or a combination of practice and experience.

(d)   Thirty semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit and a successful 200-clock- hour practicum  in   special  education  administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education and shall  be  distributed  appropriately  to  assure  knowledge  and competency as related to special education in all of the following areas:

(i)   Program development and evaluation.

(ii)   Personnel staffing, supervision, and evaluation.

(iii)   Verbal and written communication.

(iv)   Leadership of professional development.

(v)   Budget development and fiscal reporting.

(vi)   Fostering parental, family, and community involvement.

(vii)   Consultation and collaboration.

(viii)   Dispute resolution.

(ix)   Data-based decision-making.

(x)   Conflict management.

(xi)   Legal and ethical issues.

(e)    Verification from a college or university approved for the   preparation of special education directors.

(2)   A director of special education who  has  full   approval  status  shall maintain full approval status indefinitely.

(3)    For temporary approval, a director of special education    shall   possess all of the following minimum qualifications:

(a)   A master's degree or higher.

(b)   Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.

(c)   Three years  of  successful  professional  practice  or  administrative experience in education, or a combination of practice and experience.

(d)   Twelve semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education.

(e)    The college or university approved for the preparation of special education directors shall verify enrollment in the director of  special education preparation program and completion of 12 semester or  equivalent hours of graduate credit.

(4)   Continuation of temporary approval is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of not less than 6 semester or equivalent hours of required credit toward full approval before the beginning of the next school year.

(5)    Any person who has completed all program requirements in effect before the effective date of these rules shall be eligible for full approval as a director of special education.

History: 1979 AC; 1980 AACS; 1987 AACS; 2002 AACS; 2008 AACS.