Alternative Certification Programs: A National Survey

Abstract

The shortage of trained professionals in special education has given rise to varied initiatives in the area of personnel preparation. Increasingly, alternative certification programs are being considered as an option by state departments of education. Under the auspices of the Council for Learning Disabilities' Standards and Etlgics Committee, a survey was conducted of all states concerning the use of such programs to train teachers of students with disabilities. A total of 50 states (and the District of Columbia) were contacted with 51 responses received, for a 100% return rate. Over 76% of all states had alternative certification programs, with the majority having them available across early childhood, middle, and secondary education. Over 62% indicated that such programs addressed the needs of students with disabilities. A total of 24 states offered alternative cert fication programs for special education teachers in general, with a like number for learning disabilities teachers specifically. A discussion focusing on some of the issues related to alternative certification programs for the field of special education is provided.