State, UIndy Partner to Bolster Special Ed Teaching

Aerial view of University of Indianapolis. (photo courtesy: UIndy)

The Indiana Department of Education is partnering with the University of Indianapolis to strengthen the state’s special education teacher pipeline. The partners say goal is to support educators as they work to earn full licensure.

IDOE says the new partnership streamlines the required coursework for teachers that want to work with special needs children.

The Indiana Special Education Assisted Licensure program will also provide financial assistance and scholarships.

“In response to this rapidly growing shortage of special education teachers in schools, we’ve created a program that offers direct assistance to teachers, schools and principals,” said Carey Dahncke, executive director of UIndy’s Center for Excellence in Leadership of Learning. “What makes this program unique, is that there is no cost to the schools or the teachers. We’ve streamlined the processes, so prospective special education teachers can accelerate their entry into the workplace, while working directly with the students who are most in need.”

IDOE says the program is available to education students currently seeking special ed licensure, currently licensed teachers who want to add special education to their existing license, and non-education bachelor’s degree holders that want to transition to teaching.

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