TITLE

Alternative Licensing Program in Special Education (RISE)

HISTORY

Began in 1991.

MOTIVATION

Response to the shortage of licensed special education teachers in Hawaii.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREAS COVERED

Special Education, Kindergarten through grade 12.

WHO OPERATES

Hawaii State Department of Education, with Chaminade University of Honolulu.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER PROGRAM

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

A special education full-time contracted teaching position with the Hawaii State Department of Education. Minimum undergraduate and post-baccalaureate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Complete admissions file at Chaminade University.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The alternative licensing option for special education is a two-year, integrated, on-the-job program consisting of formal coursework and field experiences. The program is based on competencies identified as critical to become an effective special education teacher.

Selection is on a competitive basis. All tuition fees and related program costs are the responsibility of each candidate.

Candidates are expected to satisfactorily complete 24 semester hours of prescribed special education coursework taken at Chaminade University and the seminars and supervised internship provided by the Hawaii Department of Education. During the supervised internship, knowledge and theory are integrated into practical classroom applications with an ongoing individual assessment component, supervision, on-site support, and the assessment of the competencies of the individuals.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS TO COMPLETE

24 semester credits of prescribed special education coursework.

WHO EVALUATES

Special education faculty at Chaminade University, and the Program Director from the Hawaii State Department of Education.

LENGTH OF TIME

Two years.