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Self-Contained Classroom Placement

Self-Contained Classroom Placement

Elementary (ZG) and World Language (FA-FS) Staffing Flexibilities

This memo announces additional staffing flexibilities to intermediate school districts and local education agencies, both traditional public schools and public school academies.

The School Courses for the Exchange of Data (SCED) Classification System is an essential component of determining appropriate placement. Since the certification and endorsement of a teacher must match the course content being taught, districts must first determine the content of the course. To determine the course content, the district should first identify the SCED Course Title and Description that most closely match the course, and then find the course in this menu of webpages for matching endorsement areas.

SCED Finder

The matching endorsement areas listed are minimum state requirements. Districts should always consider the professional learning and experiences of an individual in addition to the minimum requirements before placing a teacher in an assignment. When an appropriately certified teacher is not available for the assignment, there are flexibilities available for placement. These are described at the end of this webpage.

SCED Course Titles

  • Early Childhood Education
  • Pre-Kindergarten
  • Kindergarten
  • Grade 1
  • Grade 2
  • Grade 3
  • Grade 4
  • Grade 5
  • Grade 6
  • Grade 7
  • Grade 8
  • Prior-to-Secondary Education
  • IB Primary Years Program

Endorsement Descriptions

The following endorsements indicate the grade levels in which the teacher in which the teacher has been prepared and can be assigned to self-contained classroom settings and should be a guide for the placement of teachers:

  • Early Childhood General and Special Education (Birth-Kindergarten) (ZN) endorsements are valid for teaching in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in self-contained settings.
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in pre-kindergarten through grade 3. Holders of these endorsements may also be assigned to teach all subjects in self-contained classroom settings up through and including grade 6.
  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades 3 through 6. Holders of these endorsements may also be assigned to teach all subjects in self-contained classroom settings from kindergarten through grade 2.
  • K-5 All Subjects; K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-5. Holders of these endorsements may be assigned to teach all subjects in self-contained classroom settings up through and including grade 8.
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-8. 
  • 7-8 All Subjects (ZK) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades 7-8.
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE) endorsements are valid for teaching all subjects in grades K-6.

Programmatic Assignment Guidance

 

The following table provides examples of eligible teaching assignments for elementary endorsed teachers. For some assignments, specific endorsements are required.

Assignment Guidance

Assignment

Required Endorsement

Early childhood special education programs for ages 2.5 to 5 years in a self-contained classroom (MARSE 340.1754 Programs)
  • Early Childhood PK - General and Special Education endorsement (ZS)
  • Early Childhood General and Special Education (B-K) (ZN)
  • Early Childhood Education endorsement (ZA) and categorical special education endorsement
Great Start Readiness Program Lead Teachers (388.1632d) in a self-contained classroom
Developmental kindergarten (e.g., young 5s) in a self-contained classroom
  • Early Childhood General and Special Education (B-K) (ZN)
  • Early Childhood PK - General and Special Education (ZS)
  • Early Childhood Education (PK-K) (ZA)
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
Kindergarten in a self-contained classroom
  • Early Childhood General and Special Education (B-K) (ZN)
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Upper Elementary (3-6) (ZP)
First grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Upper Elementary (3-6) (ZP)
Second grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP)
Third grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)
  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP)
Fourth grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
Fifth grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • English Language Arts (BQ) (5-9 only)
  • Mathematics (EQ) (5-9 only)
  • Science (DQ) (5-9 only)
  • Social Studies (CQ) (5-9 only)
Sixth grade in a self-contained classroom
  • Upper Elementary Education (3-6) (ZP)
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • General Elementary K-6 (ZE)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • Lower Elementary Education (PK-3) (ZO)
  • English Language Arts (BQ) (5-9 only)
  • Mathematics (EQ) (5-9 only)
  • Science (DQ) (5-9 only)
  • Social Studies (CQ) (5-9 only)
Seventh grade in a self-contained classroom
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • 7-8 All Subjects (ZK)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • English Language Arts (BQ)
  • Mathematics (EQ)
  • Science (DQ)
  • Social Studies (CQ)
Eighth grade in a self-contained classroom
  • K-5 All Subjects, K-8 All Subjects Self-Contained Classrooms (ZG)
  • K-8 All Subjects (ZC)
  • 7-8 All Subjects (ZK)

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • English Language Arts (BQ)
  • Mathematics (EQ)
  • Science (DQ)
  • Social Studies (CQ)
9th grade in a self-contained classroom

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • English Language Arts (BQ)
  • Mathematics (EQ)
  • Science (DQ)
  • Social Studies (CQ)
10th-12th grade in self-contained classroom

Currently, due to the staffing shortage, the following endorsements are allowable:

  • English Language Arts (BQ) (7-12 only)
  • Mathematics (EQ) (7-12 only)
  • Science (DQ) (7-12 only)
  • Social Studies (CQ) (7-12 only)
Alternative education in a self-contained classroom See specific guidance related to alternative education programs
Special education in a self-contained classroom See specific guidance related to special education programs