R 340.1771

MARSE R 340.1771 Director of special education; education and experience requirements.

Rule 71.

1. For full approval, a director of special education shall possess all of the following minimum qualifications:
   1. A master's degree or higher.
   2. Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.
   3. Three years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in special education, or a combination of practice and experience.
   4. Thirty semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit and a successful 200-clock-hour practicum in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education and shall be distributed appropriately to assure knowledge and competency as related to special education in all of the following areas:
      1. Program development and evaluation.
      2. Personnel staffing, supervision, and evaluation.
      3. Verbal and written communication.
      4. Leadership of professional development.
      5. Budget development and fiscal reporting.
      6. Fostering parental, family, and community involvement.
      7. Consultation and collaboration.
      8. Dispute resolution.
      9. Data-based decision-making.
      10. Conflict management.
      11. Legal and ethical issues.
   5. Verification from a college or university approved for the preparation of special education directors.
2. A director of special education who has full approval status shall maintain full approval status indefinitely.
3. For temporary approval, a director of special education shall possess all of the following minimum qualifications:
   1. A master's degree or higher.
   2. Full approval in at least 1 area of special education.
   3. Three years of successful professional practice or administrative experience in education, or a combination of practice and experience.
   4. Twelve semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit in special education administration. Graduate credit shall be earned in a college or university whose program has been approved by the state board of education.
   5. The college or university approved for the preparation of special education directors shall verify enrollment in the director of special education preparation program and completion of 12 semester or equivalent hours of graduate credit.
4. Continuation of temporary approval is dependent upon the satisfactory completion of not less than 6 semester or equivalent hours of required credit toward full approval before the beginning of the next school year.
5. Any person who has completed all program requirements in effect before the effective date of these rules shall be eligible for full approval as a director of special education.