Preschool Special Education (Birth - Age 5)
USBE APPEL-SpEd Program Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5)
If you are applying for a SpEd-Associate Educator License only, because you are already enrolled in a University preparation program, follow the steps here Links to an external site..
DO NOT enroll in the USBE APPEL-SpEd Program if you are already enrolled or are planning to enroll in a University preparation program.
Welcome to APPEL-SpEd: USBE’s Alternate Path to Professional Educator Licensure for Preschool Special Education working with children from birth to age 5. Examples of teaching assignments that are applicable to this license area include preschool special education teacher and IEP Case Manager for 4 year olds.
Please note this program leads to licensure only–not a degree. This program is available to participants who already have:
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- A bachelor's degree
- A current Special Education assignment, or a paraprofessional position working in a Special Education setting in an accredited institution
Terms:
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- AEL - Associate Educator License (valid for three academic years)
- APPEL- SpEd - Alternate Path to Professional Educator Licensure - Special Education
- SpEd - Special Education
- USBE - Utah State Board of Education
Upon completion of the APPEL-SpEd program, participants will be recommended for SpEd Professional Educator Licensure. Your Associate Educator License is good for three academic years during which time you may be the Special Education teacher of record. You must finish all of the requirements during that time to receive your Professional Educator License in Special Education.
If you have questions, book an appointment using the APPEL-SpEd Questions online 30 minute consultation or email appel-sped@schools.utah.gov. Links to an external site.
Getting Started
The prerequisites to apply for USBE’s APPEL-SpEd Program are the same as steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Associate Educator License application checklist. Make sure you click the "Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5) AEL Checklist". Use the link here Links to an external site. to complete steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Apply to the APPEL-SpEd Program (step 5 on the AEL checklist)
After you complete steps 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the AEL Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5) AEL Checklist requirement, you are ready to apply to USBE’s APPEL-SpEd Program.
Apply to USBE’s APPEL-SpEd preparation program using the link below. Once the form is submitted, it usually takes 2-3 business days to process and prepare the Statement of Assurances. This document is then emailed to the applicant, administrators, and human resource director for signatures. After every required individual signs the Statement of Assurances verifying employment, you will receive an enrollment letter into the APPEL-SpEd Program. You need the enrollment letter to apply for your AEL.
Complete AEL Requirements
After applying to the APPEL-SpEd Program, you will finish steps 6, 7, and 8 on the AEL checklist found here Links to an external site.. Again, make sure you are using the link for Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5) AEL Checklist.
*Please note step 5 on the AEL checklist is enrolling in an Educator Preparation Program (APPEL-SpEd) which you already did.
For step 6, complete a course through MIDAS found here Links to an external site..
If you are working as a SpEd paraprofessional, you do not need a SpEd teaching position to move forward nor do you need an Associate SpEd License (AEL). If a paraprofessional chooses to apply for an AEL, please note the 3 year timeline starts when the AEL is awarded. This may be a problem in future employment.
Complete the APPEL-SpEd Program after receiving your AEL
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- Receive custom Professional Learning Plan (PLP) derived by the APPEL-SpEd team
- Complete the requisite coursework and pedagogical performance assessments
- Track Clinical Experience Hours
- Work with a USBE approved LEA assigned mentor
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Completing the requirements for your Professional Educator License could take up to three years depending on previous credentials.
REMINDER: USBE APPEL-SpEd is a licensure-only program and not a degree-granting program.