Or. Admin. R. 581-015-2905 - Authorization of Early Childhood Specialist
(1) This rule establishes an alternative to
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) licensure or endorsements for
individuals to serve as Early Childhood Specialists for Programs. Individuals
with TSPC issued endorsements in EI/ECSE or a related field are not covered by
sections (4)-(12).
(2)
Responsibilities of the Early Childhood Specialist may include but are not
limited to:
(a) Coordination of EI/ECSE
services to children and their families;
(b) Assessment of children in EI/ECSE
programs;
(c) Development and
implementation of IFSP;
(d)
Development and implementation of data collection systems;
(e) Provision of consultation and support, as
necessary, to families and staff;
(f) Training of EI/ECSE assistants;
(g) Compliance with procedural safeguards;
and
(h) Provision of specialized
instruction.
(3) Early
Childhood Specialists must possess a minimum of a bachelor degree in early
childhood education, special education or a related field.
(4) Individuals without a TSPC endorsement in
EI/ECSE or a related field must successfully demonstrate competency at the
specialist level in the following areas, which are described in the document,
"Standards for Professionals Working in EI/ECSE in Oregon":
(a) Child Development and Early
Learning;
(b) Partnering with
Families;
(c) Collaboration and
Teaming;
(d) Assessment
Processes;
(e) Application of
Curriculum Frameworks in the Planning of Meaningful Learning
Experience;
(f) Using Responsive
and Reciprocal Interactions, Interventions, and Instruction;
(g) Professional and Ethical
Practice.
(5) Candidates
for the Early Childhood Specialist authorization must complete an application
and portfolio that documents their mastery level of each component within the
standard areas listed in section (4) of this rule.
(6) The candidate must submit the application
and portfolio to the Oregon Department of Education for review. Specialist
employed on or after October 1, 1998, must complete the authorization within 12
months of employment. The Office of Special Education will convene a panel at
least two times per year to review the candidate's portfolio. The panel will
consist of a minimum of three professionals representing the Oregon Department
of Education, higher education, and EI/ECSE service providers. The panel will
recommend approval or non-approval of the Early Childhood Specialist
authorization for the candidate to the State Superintendent of Public
Instruction.
(7) The Superintendent
will approve or deny the candidate's application considering the recommendation
of the panel:
(a) Each approved candidate will
receive authorization from the Department as an Early Childhood
Specialist;
(b) Each nonapproved
candidate will receive notice from the Department. The notice will include the
reasons for denial and the right of appeal to the State Board of
Education.
(8) If a
candidate is unable to complete the authorization process within a 12-month
period, the EI/ECSE contractor may request a waiver from the Oregon Department
of Education for up to one year to allow for the candidate's completion of the
authorization process.
(9) Initial
authorization is valid for a period of three years. Subsequent authorization is
valid for a period of five years.
(10) Applicant renewal of the Early Childhood
Specialist authorization must include the following:
(a) For initial renewal, a minimum of two
years experience between issuance of initial authorization and renewal
application;
(b) For subsequent
renewal, a minimum of three years experience between previous renewal and
current application.
(c) Written
verification by the applicant's supervisor documenting:
(A) Completion of a minimum of 75
Professional Development Units for initial reauthorization or a minimum of 125
Professional Development Units for subsequent reauthorization;
(B) Completion of a Professional Development
Plan developed with the applicant's supervisor; and
(C) Development of a new Professional
Development Plan developed with the applicant's supervisor.
(11) The Department
will deny or revoke authorization of an Early Childhood Specialist under any of
the following conditions:
(a) The individual
has been convicted of any of the crimes listed in ORS
342.143, or the substantial
equivalent of any of those crimes if the conviction occurred in another
jurisdiction or in Oregon under a different statutory name or number;
or
(b) The individual has made a
false statement as to the conviction of a crime.
(12) The Department may deny or revoke
authorization for an Early Childhood Specialist if the individual is charged
with a breach of professional responsibilities, which is verified by his/her
immediate supervisor.
(13)
Individual whose authorization has been revoked will receive notice from the
Department. The notice will include the reasons for denial and the right of
appeal to the State Board of Education.
(14) All specialists employed by EI/ECSE
contractors or subcontractors must have a professional development plan based
on the content of the EI/ECSE standards as listed in section (4) of this
rule.
(15) A temporary waiver may
be requested by the EI/ECSE contractor when an emergency arises due to a
misassignment or unsuccessful recruitment efforts. The request for the waiver
must be submitted to the Oregon Department of Education and must include:
(a) Documentation of efforts to employ
personnel who meet the required standards;
(b) The name, position, and qualifications of
the employed personnel;
(c) A copy
of the professional development plan as described in section (13) of this rule;
and
(d) Assurances that the plan
will be implemented.
Notes
Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 343.055 & 343.475
Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 343.055 & 343.475
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