KRS 161.053: Certification of teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders.

(1) The Education Professional Standards Board shall have the authority and

responsibility to certify as a teacher of exceptional children/communication

disorders, an individual who has:

(a) Completed an approved program of preparation that corresponds to the

certificate;

(b) Achieved a passing score on an appropriate assessment as determined by the

Education Professional Standards Board;

(c) Fulfilled other requirement s for teacher certification as determined by the

Education Professional Standards Board, in accordance with KRS Chapter

161 and administrative regulations promulgated thereunder; and

(d) Completed the requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue two (2) levels of

certification for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders:

(a) Baccalaureate level certification shall be issued to a person who has:

1. Completed an approved program of preparation leading to a bachelor's

degree in speech-language pathology;

2. Been granted licensure as a speech -language pathology assistant from

the Kentucky Board of Speech -Language Pathology and Audiology,

under KRS Chapter 334A; and

3. Completed the other requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this

section; and

(b) Master's level certification shall be issued to a person who has:

1. Completed an approved program of preparation leading to a master's

degree in speech-language pathology; and

2. Completed the other requirements specified in subsection (1) of this

section.

(3) A person holding licensure through the Kentucky Board of Speech -Language

Pathology and Audiology as a speech -language pathology assistant, but not

certified as a teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders, may:

(a) Continue to work in the publi c schools as a classified employee under the

provisions of KRS Chapter 334A and administrative regulations promulgated

by the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; or

(b) Pursue certification as a baccalaureate level teacher of excepti onal

children/communication disorders while working as a speech -language

pathology assistant.

(4) A bachelor's level teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders shall

work under requirements for speech-language pathology assistants set forth in KRS

Chapter 334A.

(5) The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop a policy through the

promulgation of administrative regulations by June 30, 2001, to permit a speech -

language pathology assistant with two (2) years or more of successful profe ssional

experience pursuing certification as a baccalaureate level teacher of exceptional

children to:

(a) Substitute prior professional experience for student teaching requirements;

and

(b) Substitute prior professional experience for beginning teacher in ternship

requirements.

(6) A teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders shall receive salary and

benefits, including membership in the Teachers' Retirement System, commensurate

with his or her education, certification, and experience as prescr ibed by law. Years

of experience as a speech -language pathology assistant shall be included in the

calculation of all benefits, including membership in the Teachers' Retirement

System, for individuals with baccalaureate level certification as a teacher of

exceptional children/communication disorders.