Special Education Instructional Coaching Advanced Studies Certificate
Special Education Instructional Coaching Advanced Studies Certificate
Applicants for the Special Education Instructional Coaching Certificate must hold a master’s degree in special education or complete 30 semester hours of college coursework in the special education content area. The applicant must have four years of successful teaching experience, two of which must be in special education.
The purpose of this certificate program is to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by recruiting and preparing highly-qualified special education graduates to serve as special education instructional coaches in Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and Area Education Agencies (LEAs) across Iowa. The coaches will be prepared to provide on-site, personalized professional development to PK-12 general and special educators to enhance the implementation of evidence-based practices with high-need students with disabilities. The certificate program utilizes a distance education format [Adobe Connect with E-Learning Blackboard and on-line learning] to allow greater access to scholars across the state who are working professionals, people with child care considerations, and people living in geographically isolated areas. The distance education approach will assist in expanding the reach of the certification program and promoting diversity of the special education workforce. This Special Education Instructional Coaching certificate program will be directed from within the Department of Special Education’s pre-existing Master of Arts in Education (MAE) – Consultation Emphasis Program.
The certificate program addresses state-wide critical needs for special education instructional coaches to assist teachers in the implementation of evidence-based practices for students with disabilities. Scholars will exit the program with a special education coaching certificate. Special education graduate students will be prepared with the necessary competencies to be highly effective special education instructional coaches and consultants using evidence-based pedagogical practices that result in improvements in learning and developmental outcomes (e.g., academic, social, emotional, behavioral) and successful transition to postsecondary education and the workforce. Concurrent field-based practica will provide authentic opportunities for the students to apply competencies, resulting in specified performance tasks and portfolio products. For the practicum course, each student will be assigned a mentor from the LEA or AEA who is currently serving as an instructional coach or special education teacher.
The required coursework and practica include: