UW College of Education e-news
April 2010  |  Return to issue home

Highly Qualified Content & Special Education Endorsement Program

The Highly Qualified Content and Special Education Endorsement Program (HQ2) is the University of Washington’s Graduate Endorsement-Only Program in Special Education. The program is designed for certificated teachers that wish to increase their capacity to teach students with disabilities, become special education teachers, or are currently working with special needs students in private settings

This program will be a competency-based program.  Students will complete portfolio assessment to demonstrate their competencies in eight major areas that incorporate all of the OSPI developed special education competencies as well as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Exceptional Needs Certificate competencies using the National Board Portfolio as the model for demonstrating competencies.

In terms of courses, students will develop an individual professional development plan based on individual competencies and experience in fulfilling program competencies. Each quarter students will enroll in the course offered for that quarter with the option of taking six credits. All coursework will have required field based components as well as seminar opportunities (evenings and weekends) at the University of Washington, and online learning opportunities. Students will work on their individually pre-determined competencies each quarter.

The spiral curriculum addresses NBPTS, OSPI, and U of W competencies including: Preparing for Student Learning; Advancing Student Learning; Supporting Student Learning; and Professional Development and Contributions to the Field. Each quarter allows for individual progress. A student will be able to complete competencies within 21 hours of credit over three quarters. Enrolled students will sign up for a minimum of 6 credits per quarter they are enrolled in the program. Enrollment is continuous and may begin in any quarter.

HQ2 allows certificated teachers to add an endorsement in special education through OSPI’s Pathway #3 in which skills developed are very different in instructional methodology and content-related skills from the student’s current endorsement.

For more information, contact Eugene Edgar, faculty director or Laura Rothenberger, program administrator.

April 2010  |  Return to issue home

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