Special Education Teacher Preparation Policy
Commendably, Iowa does not offer a K-12 mild to moderate special education certification. The state offers a K-8 and a 5-12 mild to moderate special education certificate.
Due to Iowa's commendable policies in this area, no recommendations are provided.
Iowa added that it offers three special education endorsements at the K-12 level: behavior disorders/learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and physical disabilities.
4C: Special Education Licensure Deficiencies
Generic K-12 special education licenses are inappropriate for teachers of high-incidence special education students.
Too many states make no distinction between elementary and secondary special education teachers, certifying all such teachers under a generic K-12 special education license. While this broad umbrella may be appropriate for teachers of low-incidence special education students, such as those with severe cognitive disabilities, it is deeply problematic for high-incidence special education students, who are expected to learn grade-level content.[1] And because the overwhelming majority of special education students are in the high-incidence category, the result is a fundamentally broken system.
It is virtually impossible and certainly impractical for states to ensure that a K-12 teacher knows all the subject matter he or she is expected to teach. Further, the issue is just as valid in terms of pedagogical knowledge. Teacher preparation and licensure for special education teachers must distinguish between elementary and secondary levels, as they do for general education.[2] The current model does little to protect some of our most vulnerable students.