W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-19 - [Effective 1/11/2025] Special Education

19.1. The Gifted Education specialization shall be issued to a candidate holding a Professional Teaching Certificate. The endorsement shall be issued for grades 1-12 grade levels. A candidate previously issued a Gifted Education endorsement for only those grade levels that appeared on their General Education or CTE Certificate may apply for a 1-12 grade level endorsement.

19.2. Consultative Special Education Teacher. A special education teacher may serve in a consultative role to content-certified and general education teachers providing direct initial instruction to special education students. A Consultative Special Education Teacher must meet state certification requirements with the appropriate endorsement in special education in the served student's primary exceptionality.

19.2.a. Duties of Consultative Special Education Teacher. The duties of a Consultative Special Education Teacher include, but are not limited to, reviewing and re-teaching prerequisite skills; organizing previously introduced material; reinforcing previously introduced material; adapting curricula for easier access; assisting with long-term assignments; targeting learning strategies to ensure content knowledge acquisition; and modifying assessment(s) in accordance with an IEP. A Consultative Special Education Teacher is not the teacher of record for students to whom they are providing services.

19.3. Alternative Option for Additional Endorsement in Special Education.

19.3.a. Additional Endorsement in Autism. A candidate who holds a Professional Teaching Certificate endorsed in Emotional/Behavior Disorders, Multi-Categorical Special Education, Mental Impairment (Mild/Moderate), Severe Disabilities, Pre-School Special Needs, or their equivalent in accordance with this policy, may apply and be issued an additional endorsement in Autism if the candidate has successfully completed six semester hours of coursework with a letter grade of "B" or above in Autism from an accredited IHE in accordance with section 19.3.a.1.

19.3.a.1. Field Experience. A minimum of 50 percent of three of the six mandatory semester hours of coursework must be comprised of field-based experiences or the candidate must provide written verification of a minimum of 30 hours of field-based experiences serving students with Autism.

19.3.a.2. Restricted Content Endorsement. A candidate applying for, or holding, a First-Class/Full-Time Permit or Out-of-Field Authorization endorsed in Emotional/Behavior Disorders, Multi-Categorical Special Education, Mental Impairment (Mild/Moderate), Severe Disabilities, Pre-School Special Needs, or their equivalent in accordance with this policy may be issued a restricted Content Endorsement in Autism if they are enrolled in, or have completed, the mandatory six semester hours of coursework in accordance with section 19.3.a; and, submit verification of holding a professional teaching certificate endorsed for one of the areas identified in this section and of the candidate's enrollment in six semester hours of mandatory coursework for Autism in accordance with section 19.3.a.

19.3.a.3. Validity Period. The Restricted Content Endorsement for Autism is valid for one year and may be renewed once with verification of a minimum of three completed hours of the Autism coursework with a 3.00/B GPA in each course from an accredited IHE that offers Autism-specific coursework.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 126-136-19