Special Education Endorsement
If you're a teacher with a valid Professional Educator License (PEL), you can earn a concurrently valid Special Education endorsement. These endorsements can be added at any grade level even if the underlying teaching endorsement on the PEL is a different grade range.
The State of Illinois identifies four course/content areas.
- Survey of Special Education
- Assessment of students with special needs
- An LBS I characteristics course (covers the entire scope of LBS I characteristics)
- An LBS I methods course (covers the entire scope of LBS I methods)
The endorsement also requires successful completion of the LBS I Content-Area exam (#290) .
Requirements For The LBS I Endorsement
SESE 240: Intro to Special Education
This course is offered in the fall and spring.
ETR 434: Assessing Students with Special Needs
This course is only offered in the fall. It is typically taken when a student has access to a clinical experience.
SESE 415: Instructional Methods for Elementary Students with Mild Disabilities (only offered in the fall) OR
SESE 444: Instructional Methods and Strategies for Middle and Secondary Students with Mild Disabilities (only offered in the spring)
SESE 417: Positive Behavior Support and Classroom Management
This course is only offered in the fall.
SESE 446: Methods for Supporting Social/Emotional Development of Students with Emotional/Behavior Disorders
This course is only offered in the spring.
SESE 460: Instructional Methods for Individuals with Autism and Multiple Disabilities
This course is only offered in the fall.