282—18.11 (272) Director of special education of an area education agency.
	 18.11(1) Authorization. The holder of this endorsement is authorized to serve as a director of special education of an area education agency. Assistant directors are also required to hold this endorsement.
	 18.11(2) Program requirements.
	  a.   	 Degree—specialist or its equivalent. An applicant must hold a master’s degree plus at least 32 semester hours of planned graduate study in administration or special education beyond the master’s degree.
	  b.   	 Endorsement. An applicant must hold or meet the requirements for one of the following:
	 (1) 	 PK-12 principal and PK-12 supervisor of special education (see rule 282—18.9(272));
	 (2) 	 Supervisor of special education—instructional (see rule 282—15.5(272));
	 (3) 	 Professional service administrator (see 282—subrule 27.3(5)); or
	 (4) 	 A letter of authorization for special education supervisor issued prior to October 1, 1988.
	  c.   	 Content. An applicant must have completed a sequence of courses and experiences which may have been part of, or in addition to, the degree requirements to include the following:
	 (1) 	 Knowledge of federal, state and local fiscal policies related to education.
	 (2) 	 Knowledge of school plant/facility planning.
	 (3) 	 Knowledge of human resources management, including recruitment, personnel assistance and development, evaluations and negotiations.
	 (4) 	 Knowledge of models, theories and philosophies that provide the basis for educational systems.
	 (5) 	 Knowledge of current issues in special education.
	 (6) 	 Knowledge of special education school law and legislative and public policy issues affecting children and families.
	 (7) 	 Knowledge of the powers and duties of the director of special education of an area education agency as delineated in Iowa Code section 273.5.
	 (8) 	 Practicum in administration and supervision of special education programs.
	  d.   	 Experience. An applicant must have three years of administrative experience as a PK-12 principal or PK-12 supervisor of special education.
	  e.   	 Competencies. Through completion of a sequence of courses and experiences which may have been part of, or in addition to, the degree requirements, the director of special education accomplishes the following:
	 (1) 	 Facilitates the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
	 (2) 	 Advocates, nurtures and sustains a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
	 (3) 	 Ensures management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
	 (4) 	 Collaborates with educational staff, families and community members; responds to diverse community interests and needs; and mobilizes community resources.
	 (5) 	 Acts with integrity and fairness and in an ethical manner.
	 (6) 	 Understands, responds to, and influences the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
	 (7) 	 Collaborates and assists in supporting integrated work of the entire agency.
	 18.11(3) Other.
	  a.   	 Option 1: Instructional. An applicant must meet the requirements for one special education teaching endorsement and have three years of teaching experience in special education.
	  b.   	 Option 2: Support. An applicant must meet the practitioner licensure requirements for one of the following endorsements and have three years of experience as a:
	 (1) 	 School audiologist;
	 (2) 	 School psychologist;
	 (3) 	 School social worker; or
	 (4) 	 Speech-language pathologist.
NOTE: An individual holding a statement of professional recognition is not eligible for the director of special education of an area education agency endorsement.
[ARC 9075B, IAB 9/8/10, effective 10/13/10]