14 Del. Admin. Code § 1573-4.0 - Prescribed Education, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements

4.1 An applicant shall have satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.

4.1.1 An applicant shall have satisfied 1 of the following education requirements:

4.1.1.1 Obtained and currently maintain an Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate in the specialty area of Mild/Moderate Disabilities or Severe and Multiple Disabilities from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or

4.1.1.2 Earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in special education with a concentration in autism and severe intellectual disabilities from an educator preparation program approved or recognized by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or a state where the state approval body employed the appropriate standards; or

4.1.1.3 Satisfactorily completed an alternative routes for licensure or certification program to teach students with autism and severe intellectual disabilities as provided in 14 Del.C. §§ 1260 - 1266; or

4.1.1.4 Satisfactorily completed a Department-approved educator preparation program to teach students with autism and severe intellectual disabilities; or

4.1.1.5 Earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in special education and satisfactorily completed 15 college credits with a focus in autism and severe intellectual disabilities in the areas provided in subsection 4.1.1.5.3 or an equivalent number of hours in professional development with 1 credit equating to 15 hours taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to a degree program from a regionally accredited college or university or a professional development provider approved by the Department in the areas provided in subsection 4.1.1.5.3.

4.1.1.5.1 For the purpose of subsection 4.1.1.5, professional development means a combination of focused, in-depth learning, practice, feedback, reflection, and expert support experiences designed to change the participants' attitudes, insights, and perspectives and ultimately results in improved professional practice.

4.1.1.5.2 Professional development hours may be approved if the applicant shows that the activity meets all of the following criteria:

4.1.1.5.2.1 Relevant courses from a regionally accredited college or university in special education are not available to the applicant online or in the applicant's county of residence; and

4.1.1.5.2.2 The activity is grounded in research and current best practices as judged by the Department's content specialist in special education; and

4.1.1.5.2.3 The activity is documented by the provider to provide knowledge and skills that are required for the special education certification; and

4.1.1.5.2.4 The activity is part of a professional development program that includes knowledge acquisition, skill mastery, descriptive feedback, and refinement of practice in the work setting.

4.1.1.5.3 For the purpose of subsection 4.1.1.5, the areas are the areas specified in subsections 4.1.1.5.3.1 through 4.1.1.5.3.5.

4.1.1.5.3.1 Introduction to autism and severe intellectual disabilities (3 credits);

4.1.1.5.3.2 Methods of Instruction in Academic Standards and Functional Skills (3 credits);

4.1.1.5.3.3 Functional Communication Training ( 3 credits);

4.1.1.5.3.4 Applied Behavior Analysis for Educators ( 3 credits); and

4.1.1.5.3.5 Competency-Based Practicum in Behaviorally Based Teaching Techniques (3 credits); or

4.1.1.6 Currently hold a Special Education Teacher of Students with Disabilities Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1571) and satisfactorily completed 15 college credits with a focus in autism and severe intellectual disabilities in the areas provided in subsection 4.1.1.5.3 or an equivalent number of hours in professional development with 1 credit equating to 15 hours taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to a degree program from a regionally accredited college or university or a professional development provider approved by the Department in the areas provided in subsection 4.1.1.5.3.

4.1.2 An applicant applying after June 30, 2027 shall also have satisfactorily completed 6 college credits in evidence-based reading instruction pursuant to 14 Del.C. § 1280(c)(3) or an equivalent number of hours in professional development with 1 credit equating to 15 hours taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to a degree program from a regionally accredited college or university or a professional development provider approved by the Department.

Notes

14 Del. Admin. Code § 1573-4.0

16 DE Reg. 767 (01/01/13)
24 DE Reg. 372 (10/1/2020)
28 DE Reg. 812 (5/1/2025) (Final)