According to the United States Department of Education, 92 million adults took part in some type of formal education to accommodate new job requirements, earn an advanced degree, keep their skills current or simply to attain a higher education. The education specialist degree program is intended for teachers, supervisors, administrators and counselors in elementary and secondary schools. This degree program offers specialization for teachers who have completed their master's degree, along with in-depth opportunities for enhanced professional growth.
The minimum educational requirement to pursue an education specialist degree is 60 hours of graduate credit, which might include a master's degree. A candidate for the program should have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on their previous graduate work. Furthermore, many educational specialist programs require at least three years of successful teaching in the field, standardized test scores, writing samples and recommendations. Since a specialist level teacher is considered an instructional leader, the education specialist degree program builds upon the teacher's prior education and professional experiences to accomplish this. The specialist program ensures that a teacher who completes the course is particularly knowledgeable about current theory and practice in education.
Specific areas of study can be pursued within the education specialist degree program. Such areas of include curriculum and instruction, administration and counseling.
Curriculum and instruction: Teachers pursuing an education specialist degree with a concentration in curriculum and instruction are involved with the teaching, supervision and curriculum of discipline-centered areas of study.
Administration: Those educators seeking an education specialist degree with a concentration in administration can seek licenses for advanced administrative positions within public and private schools, such as building administrator, administrative specialist, vocational director and district administrator.
Counseling: Teachers taking the education specialist degree program with a concentration in counseling have the opportunity for advanced training and study in specialized areas of interest, such as individual, group or family clinical counseling.
Specializations within each of the three segments of the education specialist degree include literature, art, English, foreign language, science, social education, mathematics and special education. The education specialist degree program encompasses 30 semester hours.
An education specialist degree is intended to develop proficiency and professional among teachers already in service. By earning an education specialist degree online, working teachers are afforded the flexibility to attend classes around their own schedule. Online education makes it easier for teachers to pursue higher education while keeping their current positions and maintaining tenure. Thus, attending an education specialist degree program online enables teachers to remain in the classroom with students while they learn how to enhance the educational experience. Teachers who attain an education specialist degree are useful in imparting leadership skills to other teachers, administrators, colleagues and students. Many such teachers implement school improvement plans, developing and using unique teaching practices right in their own classroom.
So are the longterm benefits of pursuing an education specialist degree online worth balancing time between earning and learning? The U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2006-07 Edition states that 1 in 4 Americans are enrolled in educational institutions; this makes the educational services the second largest industry in America. About 13 million jobs exist in education services today and most of them require at least a bachelor's degree. The Guide further offers that, “Wage and salary employment growth of 17 percent is expected in the educational services industry over the 2004-14 period, higher than the 14 percent increase projected for all industries combined. The number of teachers retiring is expected to remain a record high over the 2004-2014 period, so there may be a lack of students graduating with education degrees to meet this growing industry's needs. This makes job opportunities for graduates in many education fields good to excellent.”
Education remains an important part of life and school attendance is compulsory the United States, so there are numerous educational establishments to teach at. As technology expands and the economy changes, there will be an increased need for skilled teachers with an innovative approach to dynamic classroom situations. People holding an education specialist degree will have increased opportunities to advance into positions as administrators, specialized counselors or even assist in developing cutting edge curriculum for students. In a Report released in July 2006, The U.S. Department of Labor reveals that school districts report difficulties in recruiting qualified administrators and teachers, especially in urban and rural areas.
According to the Distance Education and Training Council, over 4 million students are enrolled in online universities and schools and that number is growing by 30 percent each year. The convenience of pursuing an education specialist degree online enables teachers to learn while they earn, as well implement the skills they attain in their own classrooms as they go. Thus, education specialist degree online programs are beneficial to both teachers and their students.
Showing posts with label education services. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education services. Show all posts
Friday, March 28, 2008
Special Education On Evaluation For Childrens Benefits
Do you have a child with a learning disability or with autism that is not making academic progress, even though they are getting special education services? Would you like to know what educational and related services your child needs in order to learn how to read, or do other academics? This article will discuss what an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is, and how you can use one to benefit your child with a disability.
The definition of an Independent Education Evaluation (IEE) is:
An independent educational evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a qualified person, who does not work for the school district. Parents of children with a disability often get IEE's so that they understand what educational needs their child has and what services they require. Most independent evaluations are parent initiated and paid for by the parent.
Once you have decided to get an IEE, there are several things to consider about the evaluator:
a. Make sure that they are qualified to perform the educational evaluation. For Example: a registered Occupational Therapist could conduct an Occupational Therapy evaluation. If sensory processing disorder (used to be called sensory integration disorder) is an issue, make sure that you find a registered Occupational Therapist who is SIPT certified. If your child has autism, make sure the evaluator specializes in educational evaluations for children with all types of autism.
b. Whether this person is now, or ever has been an employee of your school district. Talk to the person, and make sure that they do not have a relationship with your school district. Be careful, even if they used to work for another school district, make sure they are truly independent, and willing to make recommendations for what your child needs.
c. Make sure that the evaluator is willing to write a detailed report, to include recommendations for related and educational services. Ask the evaluator if they are willing to recommend specific amount of minutes of service and specific methodology for educational and related services. If they are not, consider going to a different evaluator.
Once you have answered these questions, make an appointment and take your child. Bring up any concerns that you have, and make sure that you understand what tests will be conducted on your child. When the report is finished, have the evaluator mail a copy to you. If you have concerns about what is written, you may contact the evaluator and tell them your concerns. Make sure recommendations are specific for minutes, #of times per week, goals, methodology, etc.
Call the school district and set up an IEP meeting to discuss the results of the IEE. If they request a copy up front, you can give it to them. If possible, set up with the evaluator, a time that she or he can participate in the IEP meeting by telephone. By having the evaluator participate, special education personnel will have a harder time not including the evaluators recommendations.
At the IEP meeting, if the school personnel will not put the recommendations in your child's IEP, they must give you prior written notice (PWN), as to why they are not willing to accept, the evaluators recommendations. This notice must include the reason that they are not accepting the recommendations, and what evaluations they are using to refuse. If at the IEP meeting the school personnel do include the recommendations, ask for reimbursement of the independent educational evaluation.
An independent educational evaluation can be invaluable to your child. By understanding what your child's educational and related needs are, you may be a more effective advocate, for needed educational and related services. If your child does not receive an appropriate education their future may be in jeopardy!
The definition of an Independent Education Evaluation (IEE) is:
An independent educational evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a qualified person, who does not work for the school district. Parents of children with a disability often get IEE's so that they understand what educational needs their child has and what services they require. Most independent evaluations are parent initiated and paid for by the parent.
Once you have decided to get an IEE, there are several things to consider about the evaluator:
a. Make sure that they are qualified to perform the educational evaluation. For Example: a registered Occupational Therapist could conduct an Occupational Therapy evaluation. If sensory processing disorder (used to be called sensory integration disorder) is an issue, make sure that you find a registered Occupational Therapist who is SIPT certified. If your child has autism, make sure the evaluator specializes in educational evaluations for children with all types of autism.
b. Whether this person is now, or ever has been an employee of your school district. Talk to the person, and make sure that they do not have a relationship with your school district. Be careful, even if they used to work for another school district, make sure they are truly independent, and willing to make recommendations for what your child needs.
c. Make sure that the evaluator is willing to write a detailed report, to include recommendations for related and educational services. Ask the evaluator if they are willing to recommend specific amount of minutes of service and specific methodology for educational and related services. If they are not, consider going to a different evaluator.
Once you have answered these questions, make an appointment and take your child. Bring up any concerns that you have, and make sure that you understand what tests will be conducted on your child. When the report is finished, have the evaluator mail a copy to you. If you have concerns about what is written, you may contact the evaluator and tell them your concerns. Make sure recommendations are specific for minutes, #of times per week, goals, methodology, etc.
Call the school district and set up an IEP meeting to discuss the results of the IEE. If they request a copy up front, you can give it to them. If possible, set up with the evaluator, a time that she or he can participate in the IEP meeting by telephone. By having the evaluator participate, special education personnel will have a harder time not including the evaluators recommendations.
At the IEP meeting, if the school personnel will not put the recommendations in your child's IEP, they must give you prior written notice (PWN), as to why they are not willing to accept, the evaluators recommendations. This notice must include the reason that they are not accepting the recommendations, and what evaluations they are using to refuse. If at the IEP meeting the school personnel do include the recommendations, ask for reimbursement of the independent educational evaluation.
An independent educational evaluation can be invaluable to your child. By understanding what your child's educational and related needs are, you may be a more effective advocate, for needed educational and related services. If your child does not receive an appropriate education their future may be in jeopardy!
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