Special Education Non-Profit Organization Supported by The Mind Trust Has Added an Alternative Pathway to Special Education Licensure

Dr. Sheri L. Anderson, Director of SPEDACTS, a nonprofit organization that seeks to provide schools with access to special education services has just added a vertical to the organization.  In response to the state’s critical shortage of licensed special education teachers, Dr. Anderson developed SPED: RAL (Special Education: Rigorous Acceleration to Licensure), an innovative pathway to licensure. As of April 13, 2022, the Indiana State Board of Education approved the SPED: RAL pathway and the program will soon be in its implementation phase.  Highlights of the program are:

  • significant reduction in the time it takes to complete special education certification
  • program is aligned with state and Council for Exceptional Children standards
  • teacher-candidates have on the job training that is supported by mentors and coaches
  • pathway designed to address P-12 teaching and learning
  • special efforts made to attract minority and male teacher-candidates
  • curriculum designed in hybrid (in-person and online) format
  • content for pathway is intensive and can be completed within an academic school year
  • as compared to tradition universities/colleges, tuition is significantly lower
  • support of teacher-candidates will continue through passing of required Praxis exams
  • instructors for SPED: RAL will be properly credentialed and have experience working with children with special needs
  • SPED: RAL’s effectiveness will be determined via an independent organization’s evaluation such as Class Measures (beginning in year 2)
  • SPED: RAL’s pathway has been a year in the making with continuous support and scrutiny by the Indiana Department of Education, Educator Preparation Programs reviewers

For more information, contact Dr. Anderson via email (sheri.anderson@spedacts.org) or by phone at (317) 372-2774.