16 Ky. Admin. Regs. 2:050

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 4, October 1, 2024

Section 16 KAR 2:050 - Certificates for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders

RELATES TO: KRS 161.020, 161.028, 161.030, 161.053, 334A.020, 334A.033, 334A.035, 334A.060, 334A.190

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 161.020, 161.028, and 161.030 require that teachers and other professional school personnel hold certificates of legal qualifications for their respective positions to be issued upon completion of programs of preparation and other requirements prescribed by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB). KRS 161.030 requires that a teacher education institution be approved for offering the preparation program corresponding to a particular certificate on the basis of standards and procedures established by the EPSB. KRS 161.053 requires the EPSB to promulgate administrative regulations to establish requirements relating to certification of teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders. This administrative regulation establishes the certificates for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders and the corresponding standards for issuance.

Section 1.

(1) The standard certificate for teachers of exceptional children and youth - communication disorders shall be valid at all age levels for the instruction of exceptional children and youth with communication disorders.

(2) The standard certificate shall be renewed for subsequent five (5) year periods upon application to the EPSB, compliance with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1), and completion of one (1) of the following by September 1 of the year of expiration:

(a) Three (3) years of successful experience as a teacher of communication disorders;

(b) At least six (6) semester hours of graduate credit or the equivalent in exceptional children or communication disorders; or

(c) Current certification with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

Section 2.

(1) Upon application to the EPSB, compliance with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1),the professional certificate for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders shall be issued to an applicant who has completed:

(a) A master's degree in speech language pathology;

(b) The approved program of preparation which corresponds to the certificate at a teacher education institution approved under the standards and procedures included in 16 KAR 5:010; and

(c) The testing requirements established in 16 KAR 6:010.

(2) The professional certificate for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders shall be issued in accordance with the internship provisions of KRS 161.030 and 16 KAR 7:010.

(3) The professional certificate for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders shall be valid at all age levels for the instruction of exceptional children with communication disorders.

(4) The professional certificate for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders shall be renewed for subsequent five (5) year periods upon application to the EPSB, compliance with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1), and completion of one (1) of the following by September 1 of the year of expiration:

(a) Three (3) years of successful experience as a teacher of communication disorders;

(b) At least six (6) semester hours of graduate credit or the equivalent in exceptional children or communication disorders; or

(c) Current certification with ASHA.

Section 3.

(1) The EPSB shall certify teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders who hold licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant issued by the Kentucky Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology under KRS Chapter 334A who meet the qualifications established in this section of this administrative regulation.

(2) An applicant shall submit an application to the EPSB, comply with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1), and submit proof of:

(a) Postsecondary education;

(b) Licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant;

(c) Experience in the Kentucky public-schools; and

(d) Successful completion of the required content area assessments established for this certificate in 16 KAR 6:010.

(3) Applicants who possess a valid license for speech language pathology assistant issued under KRS Chapter 334A who have at least two (2) years of successful experience in Kentucky's public schools in this position shall be issued the "professional certificate for exceptional children/communication disorders/SLPA only" valid for five (5) years.

(4) Applicants who possess a valid license for speech language pathology assistant issued under KRS Chapter 334A who do not have successful experience in Kentucky's public schools in this position shall be issued a statement of eligibility valid for five (5) years.

(a) The teacher shall complete the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program established in 16 KAR 7:010.

(b) Upon successful completion of the beginning teacher internship, the teacher shall be issued a "professional certificate for exceptional children/communication disorders/SLPA only" valid for the remainder of the five (5) year period.

(5) The professional certificate for exceptional children/communication disorders/SLPA only shall be renewed for subsequent five (5) year periods upon application to the EPSB, compliance with 16 KAR 2:010, Section 3(1), and completion of one (1) of the following by September 1 of the year of expiration:

(a) Three (3) years of successful experience as an SLPA;

(b) At least six (6) semester hours of graduate credit or the equivalent in exceptional children or communication disorders; or,

(c) Current certification with ASHA

(6) A teacher certified under this section of this administrative regulation shall remain a speech language pathology assistant requiring supervision under KRS Chapter 334A until the teacher:

(a) Completes the master's degree in speech language pathology; and

(b) Gains the professional certificate for exceptional children/communication disorders established in Section 2 of this administrative regulation.

16 KAR 2:050

15 Ky.R. 742; eff. 10-7-88; Am. 27 Ky.R. 1080; 1473; eff. 12-21-2000; Recodified 704 KAR 20:500, 7-2-2002; Certified to be amended; filing deadline 8-27-2021; 48 Ky.R. 1210, 2018; eff. 4/5/2022.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 161.028, 161.030, 161.053