Introduction

The School of Education at Kentucky State University (KSU) offers an on-line program for a Master of Arts (MA) in Special Education with Certification in Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12). The intent of this program, which is referred to as the ESP program, is to increase the diminished supply of special education teachers by targeting qualified college graduates, including those whose degrees are in fields other than education, and guiding them to move expeditiously through an intensive training and internship experience, become certified special education teachers, and obtain a Master degree. It is designed specifically to lead to teacher certification in the area of Learning and Behavior Disorders (LBD, P-12.) Individuals who are not certified teachers may seek initial teaching certification in LBD and those who are certified in another area may seek an “add on” certification in LBD. When successful graduates are employed as teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, they are classified and compensated as Rank II.

The following courses are required:

ESP 507: Introduction to Special Education

ESP 502: Legal & Parental Issues in Special Education

ESP 504: Theories of Reading & Educational Practices P-12

ESP 505: Teaching Mathematics to Children and Youth with Learning & Behavior Disorders

ESP 511: Methods & Strategies in Behavior Management

ESP 511: Methods & Strategies in Behavior Management

ESP 515: Research in Special Education

ESP 523: The Individual with LD: Learning & Development through the Lifespan

ESP 524: Instructional Assessment Methods

ESP 525: Inclusion, Collaboration, & Advocacy

ESP 526: Prescriptive Teaching

ESP 573: Practicum in Special Education for Candidates Currently Teaching OR

ESP 574: Practicum in Special Education for Candidates Not Currently Teaching OR

ESP 575: Student Teaching in Special Education The ESP program is founded on personal student support, high expectations, relevant and practical experiences, and distance learning technology. Candidates are mentored, from the very beginning, in how to succeed in an electronic educational environment and they are provided 24/7/365 support in accessing course content, instructors, and colleagues from wherever a telephone or Internet service is available.

The ESP program is founded on personal student support, high expectations, relevant and practical experiences, and distance learning technology. Candidates are mentored, from the very beginning, in how to succeed in an electronic educational environment and they are provided 24/7/365 support in accessing course content, instructors, and colleagues from wherever a telephone or Internet service is available.

The ESP program was created for three groups of individuals: those who currently are employed as teachers in P-12, those who have been employed recently as teachers in P-12, and those who never have taught students in P-12. The coursework for all students is the same, unless a student transfers courses from another regionally accredited, post-secondary institution. The only difference in requirements for students with varying experiential backgrounds is the capstone course. Individuals with teaching experience complete a culminating practicum and individuals who have not taught complete student teaching. The two program options are formalized into two Tracks.

Track I is designed for candidates who are or have been teachers of record in accredited schools. With the approval of the Education Graduate Committee, candidates in Track I complete all coursework and then a one-term, capstone practicum course, either ESP 573 (3 credit hours) or ESP 574 (6 credit hours). The practicum must be completed during fall or spring semester (not summer) and it cannot be completed via independent study. ESP 573 is offered for candidates who currently are full-time teachers of record in classrooms (P-12) that include students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). ESP 574 is offered for candidates who currently are not teachers of record and yet have taught full-time for at least three of the past five years in P-12 classes that have included students with IEPs.

Track II is designed for candidates who have little or no full-time teaching experience in accredited schools. It requires the completion of a full-semester, capstone student teaching course, ESP 575 (12 credit hours), in an accredited school and in a classroom (P-12) that includes students with IEPs in the area of LBD. Candidates enrolled in ESP 575 may not be employed in any position that could interfere with their full-time student teaching experience.

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