Participants in the EducateVA Career Switcher program may pursue an endorsement in Special Education (General Curriculum only); however, they must meet an additional prerequisite to apply. Prior to the start of the program, applicants must have completed the introductory Exceptional Education course required of all Special Education teachers in Virginia. This course may be taken through any college or university, but if taken through a Virginia Community College the specific course is EDU250 - Foundations of Exceptional Education.
The PRAXIS for this endorsement area is Teaching Reading: Elementary (PRAXIS #5205). This is the required assessment no matter what grade level a program participant wishes to teach. Candidates may complete Level 1 before they pursue a teaching position or while they are teaching on a provisional license (with two full years of remaining eligibility).
In Level 1, the program participant will enroll in the 18-week semester and complete the required professional studies coursework and a practicum placement in a Virginia public school. Since the endorsement includes all grades K-12, the program participant may select an elementary, middle, or high school for the field experience.
You can learn more about the application process page here, application deadlines and schedules here, and tuition and grant information here.
Note - Early Childhood and Adaptive Special Education endorsements are not an option through the Career Switcher programs.