LAC 28:CXXXI.1327. Requirements to Add Mild/Moderate (1-5), (4-8), and (6-12)—Mandatory 7/1/2010

A. Mild/Moderate: 1-5—Individuals holding a valid early childhood certificate in PK-K or PK-3, elementary certificate in grade levels 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, or 1-8, or Early Interventionist certificate must earn the following: 1. 18 semester hours to include the following coursework: a. Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities. Three semester hours in a course designed for teachers to learn to select, adapt, and use instructional interventions and behavioral strategies with students in a variety of settings to apply knowledge and skills in a 45-hour field-based experience using theoretical approaches, screening/ identification, educational placement considerations, and assessment and evaluation; b. Fundamentals of Instructional Technology. Three semester hours of instructional, utility, and management software applications for school use for development of instructional materials, incorporation of commercially available software into lesson and unit structure, addressing the use of technology as it relates to UDL (Universal Design for Learning) and how UDL can be used to meet the needs of all students with language development issues; c. Behavior Support and Intervention. Three semester hours to address the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for teachers to proactively and systematically address student needs that underlie the presence of problem behaviors in schools and class rooms; d. Collaborative Teaming. Three semester hours that focuses on developing effective partnerships with parents, family members, general educators and related service providers; e. Instructional Practices in Special Education. Three semester hours that provides teachers with the ability to select and utilize appropriate instructional strategies, assistive technologies, and instructional materials to address the strengths and needs of diverse learners in grades 1-5; and f. Reading and Literacy. Three semester hours regarding all aspects of state reading competencies at the elementary level, to include literacy intervention for students with disabilities; 2. passing score for Praxis Mild to Moderate Pedagogy exam 3. complete six semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy, or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies; 4. Beginning September 1, 2024, an applicant shall pass the BESE-approved Teaching of Reading: Elementary or Teaching of Reading: Elementary Subtest exam in accordance with §303 of this Part. 5. Individuals holding a valid OS, type C, level 1, or higher teaching certificate in upper elementary or middle school certificate grade levels 4-8, 5-8, or 6-8, secondary certificate grade levels 6-12, 7-12, or 9-12, all-level special education certificate in significant disabilities, visually impaired, or deaf or hard of hearing, or an all-level K-12 certificate in art, dance, foreign language, health, physical education, health and physical education, theater, or music must meet the requirements of this Subsection and earn the following: a. passing score on Praxis Elementary Education in accordance with §303 of this Part; and b. passing score on Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) K-6. B. Mild/Moderate Middle Grades 4-8 and Secondary 6-12 1. 18 semester hours to include the following coursework: a. Assessment and Evaluation of Students with Disabilities. Three semester hours in a course is designed for teachers to learn to select, adapt, and use instructional interventions and behavioral strategies with students in a variety of settings and to apply knowledge and skills in a 45-hour field-based experience using theoretical approaches, screening and identification, educational placement considerations, and assessment and evaluation; b. Fundamentals of Instructional Technology. Three semester hours of instructional, utility, and management software applications for school use, development of instructional materials, incorporation of commercially available software into lesson and unit structure, the use of technology for UDL (Universal Design for Learning), and how UDL can be used to meet the needs of all students with language development issues; c. Behavior Support and Intervention. Three semester hours regarding the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to proactively and systematically address student needs that underlie the presence of problem behaviors in schools and class rooms; d. Collaborative Teaming. Three semester hours that focuses on developing effective partnerships with parents, family members, general educators, and related service providers; e. Instructional Practices in Special Education. Three semester hours that provide teachers with the ability to select and utilize appropriate instructional strategies, assistive technologies, and instructional materials to address the strengths and needs of diverse learners in grade levels 6-12 with concentration in areas of literacy and numeracy; f. Self-Determination and Transition. Three semester hours in self-determination and development, implementation and evaluation of self-management instructional programs for students with an emphasis on using self-management and learning strategies to facilitate self-determination and provides an understanding of the special education transition process as specified by federal and state guidelines with the focus on the design and implementation of transition planning that meets student physical, affective, cognitive, and communicative needs across the contexts of school, community, family life, career and vocation, and recreation/leisure and 2. passing score for Praxis Mild to Moderate Pedagogy exams in accordance with §303 of this Part; and 3. complete nine semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy, or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies. 4. Beginning September 1, 2024, an applicant shall pass the BESE-approved Teaching of Reading: Elementary or Teaching of Reading: Elementary Subtest exam in accordance with §303 of this Part. 5. Individuals holding a valid early childhood certificate in PK-K or PK-3, elementary certificate in grade levels 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, or 1-8, or early interventionist certificate must also earn the following. a. Mild/Moderate 4-8. A passing score for Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): 5-9, and a passing score for Middle School Content Exam(s) in accordance with §303 of this Part. b. Mild/Moderate 6-12. A passing score for Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): 7-12, and a passing score for Secondary Core Content Exam(s) in accordance with §303 of this Part. 6. Individuals holding a valid upper elementary or middle school certificate in grade levels 4-8, 5-8, or 6-8 must also earn the following. a. Mild/Moderate 6-12. A passing score for Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): 7-12, and a passing score for Secondary Core Content Exam(s) in accordance with §303 of this Part. 7. Individuals holding a valid secondary certificate in grade levels 6-12, 7-12, or 9-12, an all-level special education certificate for significant disabilities, visually impaired, or deaf or hard of hearing, or an all-level K-12 certificate in art, dance, foreign language, health, physical education, health and physical education, theater, or music must also earn the following: a. Mild/Moderate 4-8. A passing score for Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): 5-9, and a passing score for Middle School Content Exam(s) in accordance with §303 of this Part.