LAC 28:CXXXI.1331. Requirements to add Visual Impairments/Blind K-12

A. Individuals holding a valid early childhood certificate in grade levels PK-K or PK-3, elementary certificate in grade levels 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, or 1-8, upper elementary or middle school certificate in grade levels 4-8, 5-8, 6-8, secondary certificate in grade levels 6-12, 7-12, or 9-12, special education certificate, or All-Level K-12 certificate in art, dance, foreign language, health, physical education, health and physical education, theater, or music must earn the following: 1. 21 semester hours that pertain to children with visual impairments: a. educational implications of low vision and blindness; b. orientation and mobility for the classroom teacher; c. assessment and evaluation techniques, including functional vision evaluation and reading media assessment; d. assistive technology for students with visual impairments; e. instructional strategies and materials for students with visual impairments; f. introduction to Braille, including literary and Nemeth codes; or g. Braille II; and 2. three semester hours of internship of students who are visually impaired or three years of successful teaching experience of students who are visually impaired or blind, verified in accordance with §103 of this Part; and 3. passing scores on exams aligned with the area in accordance with §303 of this Part. B. 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.