National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist

Credential: Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist
Credentialing Agency: National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist certification is appropriate for teachers who teach students ages birth through 21+ years with exceptional needs, and who know the philosophical, historical, and legal foundations of exceptional needs education. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, have a minimum of three years of teaching experience at the early childhood, elementary, middle school, or high school level, and where it is required, hold a state teaching license. Candidates must pass a computer-based assessment and submit three portfolio entries.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

 

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite: state teaching license
  • Experience: 3 years
  • Education: Bachelors
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for becoming eligible. Listed are the minimum requirements based on the minimum degree required. To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 5 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

1525 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 700
Arlington, VA  22209

Phone: (703) 465-2700

Fax: (703) 465-2715
Contact Page

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Candidates must possess a valid state teaching or counseling license. Exception: If the candidate is teaching where a license is not required, he/she must have taught in schools recognized and approved to operate by the state.

Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Candidates must have a minimum of three years teaching experience at the early childhood, elementary, middle school, or high school level.

Written Exam

Content knowledge is assessed through the completion of approximately 45 selected response items and three constructed response exercises.

  • Knowledge of Students and Knowledge of Philosophy, History and Law (20%)
    • Child Growth and Development
    • Effective Advocacy
    • Knowledge of Philosophy, History, and Law
    • Exemplifying High Ethical Ideals
  • Diversity and Family Partnerships (20%)
    • Creating Equitable, Fair, and Diverse Environments
    • Ensuring Access to Quality Learning Experiences
    • Collaborating with Parents to Support Students’ Education
  • Communication and Social Development and Behavior (30%)
    • Understanding Language Acquisition and Development
    • Using Unique Strategies to Develop Communication Skills
    • Collaborating with Others to Facilitate Student Language Development
    • Teaching and Fostering Social Skills
    • Developing Students’ Self-Confidence and SelfDetermination
    • Fostering and Supporting Positive Behavior
  • Assessment and Curriculum and Instruction (30%)
    • Using Diverse Assessment Methods for Different Purposes
    • Academic Core Curriculum—Literacy
    • Individualizing Curriculum and Integrating Life Skills Development Across Disciplines, Contexts, and Settings
    • Fostering Student Transitions and Career Development
  • Constructed Response: Numeracy
    • In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of numeracy skills and instruction for students with exceptional needs.
  • Constructed Response: Assessment
    • In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of assessment and students with exceptional needs.
  • Constructed Response: Collaboration
    • In this exercise, candidates will use their knowledge of professional collaboration in the field of exceptional needs.

Performance Exam Requirements

In addition to the computer-based assessment, candidates for National Board Certification are required to complete three portfolio entries, which are submitted online.

The topics for the portfolio entries are as follows:

  • Differentiation Instruction
    • This classroom-based portfolio entry is primarily comprised of samples of student work and an accompanying written commentary. 
  • Teaching Practice and Learning Environment
    • This is a classroom-based portfolio entry that requires video recordings of interactions between the candidate and his/her students.
  • Effective and Reflective Practitioner
    • This portfolio entry requires examples of assessments used for formative and summative purposes. 

RECERTIFICATION

Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist credential has the following recertification information:

  • Certification holders must compile and submit a Profile of Professional Growth (PPG), demonstrating how his/her practices continue to align with the Five Core Propositions in the chosen certificate area. In contrast to initial certification, the PPG is a single submission composed of three interrelated components and a reflection.
  • Beginning in 2021, NBCTs will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and skills every five years. This policy will take effect for candidates who certify in 2017 and later.

Additional considerations for the Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist include:

  • Candidates applying for certification in the Exceptional Needs Specialist certificate area must select a specialty area from the below list when applying. 
    • Deaf/Hard of Hearing (birth to 21+ years)
    • Early Childhood (birth to 8 years)
    • Gifted and Talented (3 to 18+ years)
    • Mild/Moderate Disabilities (5 to 21+ years)
    • Severe and Multiple Disabilities (5 to 21+ years)
    • Visual Impairments (birth to 21+ years)

    Additional information regarding specialties can be found in the guide to Choosing the Right Certificate.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

Click to go to the COOL Summary page for this MOC.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Promotion Points

This certification has been approved for promotion points.

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Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Proponent Funded

Indicates the credential may have funding through the MOS proponent. Some proponents offer credentialing opportunities in conjunction with military training and/or as part of MOS development beyond the training base.

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Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click 'Complete Voucher and Apply' at the top of any page.

CG Bucks

Coming Soon - Coast Guard policy regarding service member eligibility requirements to participate in the Voluntary Credentialing Program is under review with a projected release date of first quarter FY20.

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 and Above

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 and Above

LaDR

This credential is recommended on the rating Learning and Development Roadmap (LaDR) for Sailors currently in the pay grade indicated on the icon, BUT MAY BE TAKEN BY SAILORS IN OTHER PAY GRADES.

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GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: mimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

Credential preparation courses are provided at no cost through Navy e-Learning. Click for external link to the Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) web site, then select the “Navy e-Learning” link within the “Learning” tab to proceed to Navy e-Learning.

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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Updated: October 16, 2019
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