how do i get my special education certification in texas

by Ray Tillman PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Meet Education Requirements. Prospective special education teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to receive certification.
Complete Exam Requirements. Approval from a student's educator preparation program is required before taking certification exams.
Send in Your Application. To apply for teacher certification, submit a completed application to the Texas Education Agency. ...
Fulfill Renewal Requirements. The teacher certification in special education is valid for five years. Teachers are required to complete 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) before renewing their licenses.

How do I become a special education teacher in Texas?

Steps to Becoming a SpEd Teacher This Year The Texas Teachers program is approved by the state of Texas to certify teachers in special education in a number of ways. All you need is a bachelor’s degree in any major with a 2.5 GPA to get started. We will need a completed application and official transcripts to admit you into the program.

How do I get texes certified in Texas?

Then, you must pass the certification exams (including the TExES 161) and submit an application to the Texas Education Agency including a background check/fingerprinting. Complete the practice test below to test your knowledge of TExES Special Education EC-12.

What is the texes special education exam in Texas?

In Texas, educators have to pass the TExES special education exam in order to be certified to teach special education.

How do I get texes special education EC-12 certification?

How many questions are asked on the EC-12 test?

The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions .

How many hours do you need to renew your special education license in Texas?

The teacher certification in special education is valid for five years. Teachers are required to complete 150 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) before renewing their licenses. The CPE hours can be completed in several ways, including attending conferences, taking additional college courses, mentoring other teachers, and completing workshops. Teachers should contact the Texas Education Agency for a list of approved providers. All CPE hours must be accurately documented to receive credit. As part of the renewal process, teachers should complete an application and pay a renewal fee.

What is the score for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities test?

The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities and Special Education tests both require a score of 240 to pass.

What are some examples of autism?

Examples include assessment of students with disabilities, teaching math to students with disabilities, and teaching students with autism. Students also take part in a fieldwork practicum in a local school.

How to get a teacher certification in Texas?

To apply for teacher certification, submit a completed application to the Texas Education Agency. Texas requires that all teachers also complete a criminal background check and have fingerprints on file before becoming certified. Prospective teachers should verify that they have met all requirements before sending in an application.

What grades can a special education teacher teach in Texas?

Texas teachers with special education certification can teach students of all levels, from early childhood to grade 12, once they complete a teacher preparation program and pass certification exams.

What degree do you need to become a special education teacher?

Prospective special education teachers must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree to receive certification. Students generally major in special education, a program that allows them to earn a bachelor's degree while also fulfilling the requirement to complete a state-approved educator preparation program.

What is the score for the TExES test?

The scoring range for the TExES special education certification test is 100 to 300, and you must earn a score of at least 240 in order to pass.

What is the Texas special education exam?

In Texas, educators have to pass the TExES special education exam in order to be certified to teach special education. Along with passing that exam, teachers must meet the state's basic requirements to teach, which include holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited program, completing an approved teacher preparation program or meeting alternative preparation requirements, submitting a state application, and passing a background check.

How many questions are asked in the TExES exam?

The TExES special education certification exam is a five-hour computer-administered test that must be taken at an official test center. The exam includes 150 questions, all of which are in a multiple-choice format. The exam measures entry-level special education teaching skills and knowledge in four key areas and is broken down as follows:

What does it mean to enroll in a course?

Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams.

How to get special education certification?

Teachers of any subject at any grade level can add the special education certification by passing the special education TExES exam. Passing this exam allows teachers to accommodate just a few students with disabilities in their classrooms. The demand for this application of special education qualifications has steadily grown, as it allows hiring districts more flexibility when assigning students to a professional educator’s classroom.

What does a special education teacher do?

The special education teacher works in conjunction with general education teachers as well as counselors and administrators to further the goals set forth in a student’s IEP. As each student’s educational steward, the special education teacher updates the IEP throughout the year to reflect their progress and goals.

What is an internship year?

The Internship Year provides the opportunity to work directly with children and lead your own classroom while also having help from your assigned Field Supervisor, a veteran educator with more than 15 years of experience in education.

How much do special education teachers make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS), the salary for special education teachers is as high as $67,394. On top of that, many districts will pay special education teachers a $1,000-$3,000 stipend each year.

What is the National Association of Special Education Teachers?

The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) provides additional support specifically for prospective special education teachers. Their website provides valuable resources such as their Classroom Management Series publication, video lectures, and much more.

What do teachers do in special education?

Elementary and secondary special education teachers build lesson plans based on their assessment of each of their students’ needs.

What are the responsibilities of a special education teacher?

Responsibilities of the Special Education Teacher: 1 Assisting students as they acquire basic life skills 2 Behavioral and emotional development 3 Designing and implementing modified curricula to fit student abilities 4 Assessing students’ performance via modified testing procedures such as oral examinations, larger print materials, and extended test times 5 Collaborating with parents, counselors, physical therapists, medical professionals, administrators, and other teachers

What is the TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Test?

If you have decided to take the journey to become a special education teacher in the state of Texas, navigating the requirements for the certification can seem overwhelming. This article will guide you through the steps of successfully passing your certification exam.

TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Exam: Structure and Exam Format

The test consists of 150 selected-response (multiple choice) questions and must be taken within 5 hours. The first 15 minutes will be reserved for a computer-administered test (CAT) tutorial and compliance agreement, while the remaining 4 hours and 45 minutes will be used for answering questions.

TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Registration Process

To register for the exam, you will need to create an online account with the Texas Education Agency. Once you have created your account, you will receive a TEA ID, which you will need to complete the registration process.

Preparing for the TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Test

Once you have successfully registered for the exam and scheduled an appointment, you can familiarize yourself with the test. There are many resources available to you, including those on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website.

Taking the TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Exam

On the date of your scheduled testing appointment, you should arrive at the testing facility 15 minutes early. It is recommended to dress comfortably to adjust to the unknown temperature of the testing center.

TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) Test Scoring

TExES test scores are reported on a scaled score from 100-300, with 100 being a 0% and 300 being a perfect score (100%). The TExES Special Education exam passing score is 240. It is important to note that you will not be penalized for wrong answers, so it is appropriate to make an educated guess if you are not sure what the correct answer is.

Expert Contributor

I am a high school teacher who has previously taken the TExES PPR exam as well as the Praxis Family and Consumer Science exam for employment. I took both exams 8 years ago and have been teaching ever since.

What is the growth rate for special education teachers?

In fact, the Houston Chronicle reported a 21 percent growth for special education teachers at the preschool through elementary school levels, and a 20 percent growth rate at the middle-school level. Higher Pay.

What is an IEP in special education?

Individualized Education Plans (IEP): a written statement of the educational program designed to meet a child’s individual needs.

What is the minimum GPA required to become a teacher in Texas?

You must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 to become a teacher in Texas. Submit your bachelor’s degree transcripts to Texas Teachers. Pass the following certification exams: *Core content exams: EC-6 or 4-8. *Special Education EC-12.

How much of the school day does a student with special needs spend in classrooms?

Not all students with special needs attend contained classes. In fact, 66 percent of students with learning disabilities spend 80 percent or more of their school day in general education classrooms, according to a 2014 report by the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

How many states have a shortage of special education teachers?

High Demand: It’s no surprise that 49 states report a shortage of special education teachers, and 82% of special education teachers report that there are not enough professionals to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Certificate Lookup

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Certificate Verification Requests

An official letter regarding certification routes is available online (PDF, 107 KB).