Chapter 9 EARLY CHILDHOOD SPECIAL EDUCATION AND SCHOOL NURSE Section 1. Basic Programs For Those Who Do Not Hold a Teaching Endorsement. These programs are designed for persons providing professional consultation services to the instructional staff. Such programs do not require the completion of a teacher preparation program. However, they do require the completion of a basic training program in: Exceptional children-early childhood, special education (birth to age 5), Nursing and Preschool Early Childhood Education (3 to age 5). Section 2. Early Childhood/Special Education Program Approval Standards (birth to age 5). The following Standards pertain to programs which prepare teachers of early childhood, special education (birth to age 5). The training content must apply to handicapped children, birth through age five (5). (a) Standard I. The program shall require knowledge of the basic sociological concepts of the family, of parent/child/school dynamics and of a variety of approaches to achieve parent involvement. (b) Standard II. The program shall require demonstrated competence in gathering and recording data from parents, in informing parents of rights and interpreting information regarding assessments, programs and procedures to parents. (c) Standard III. The program shall require knowledge of normal child development and factors that result in atypical child development. (d) Standard IV. The program shall require demonstrated competence in applying typical and atypical child development knowledge to curriculum, identification and expected development decisions. (e) alternatives. Standard V. The program shall require knowledge of program and service delivery (f) Standard VI. The program shall require demonstrated competence in identifying, writing, implementing and communicating educational goals with parents and other professionals based upon assessment data and individual needs. (g) Standard VII. The program shall require knowledge of language acquisition and development within the instructional setting using a multidisciplinary approach to include motor, language, self-help, emotional and cognitive skills. 9-1
(h) Standard VIII. The program shall require demonstrated competence in developing appropriate instructional procedures within the instructional setting for language development using motor, language, self-help, emotional and cognitive skills. (i) Standard IX. The program shall require demonstrated competence in the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation and reporting of assessment activities. (j) Standard X. The program shall require demonstrated competence in the utilization application of assessment data for child identification; program analysis, refinement, and development; and parental understanding. (k) Standard XI. The program shall require demonstrated competence in the use of due process procedures for the pre-school child and parent. Section 3. School Nurse Program Approval Standards. The following Standards pertain to programs which prepare a school nurse. Standards applicable to school nurse preparation shall require licensure as a professional registered nurse in Wyoming and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. (a) Standard I. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in organizing, managing and evaluating school health services. (b) Standard II. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in using a holistic approach in health assessment of students which includes a review of health care needs, problems, communicable diseases, normal growth and development and concerns of children and youth. (c) Standard III. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in assessing, evaluating, educating or counseling related to factors which impede the education progress of children. (d) Standard IV. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in assisting students, staff and families to utilize available local, state and national resources in meeting health care needs. (e) Standard V. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in understanding people and interaction with their environment. (f) Standard VI. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in maintaining and promoting the health status of students and staff. (g) Standard VII. The program shall require knowledge of and demonstrated competence in writing and implementing individual health care plans for exceptional children. 9-2
(h) Standard VIII. The program shall require knowledge of the school environment and the role of the nurse in that environment. (i) Standard IX. The program shall require demonstrated competence in purchasing, evaluating and maintaining health supplies, equipment and educational aids. (j) Standard X. The program shall require demonstrated competence in designing, organizing and presenting in-service programs to promote health and meet the special needs of students, staff and parents. (k) Standard XI. The program shall require knowledge of the role of the school nurse in curriculum development and in serving as a resource person for classroom teachers. (l) Standard XII. The program shall require demonstrated competence in safety procedures, multimedia, Standard first aid and CPR. OR A standard certificate with a school nurse endorsement will be issued when the Bachelor prepared registered Professional Nurse (RN) licensed by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing has met the eligibility requirements or has passed a national certification exam for school nurses officially recognized by the National Association of School Nurses (NASN)or the American Nurses Association. Section 4. Preschool Early Childhood Education Program Approval Standards (age 3 to age 5, excluding teaching kindergarten). These standards pertain to preparing educators to teach young children, including infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. To hold this endorsement, one must have an appropriate bachelor's degree and have completed a state approved preschool early childhood birth to five endorsement program. This allows employment in a Wyoming public school district to teach preschool (a) Content Standards. The teacher candidate demonstrates an understanding of early childhood education. (i) The teacher candidate understands the multiple interacting influences on young children's development and learning. needs. (ii) The teacher candidate knows and understands young children's characteristics and (iii) The teacher candidate knows and understands characteristics of young children's families and communities. 9-3
(iv) The teacher candidate understands the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment. (v) The teacher candidate knows and understands the importance, central concepts, inquiry tools and structures of content areas or academic disciplines. (vi) The teacher candidate knows about ethical standards and professional guidelines. (b) Pedagogy Standards. The teacher candidate demonstrates an understanding of effective teaching practices for young children. (i) The teacher candidate uses developmental knowledge of young children to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments. (ii) The teacher candidate involves families and communities in young children's development and learning. (iii) The teacher candidate knows, understands, and uses effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education. (iv) The teacher candidate knows about and uses observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches. professionals. (v) The teacher candidate knows about assessment partnerships with families and (c) Process Standards. The teacher candidate demonstrates effective reflection and relationship skills. (i) The teacher candidate supports and empowers young children's families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships. (ii) The teacher candidate uses his/her own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum to promote positive outcomes. practice. (iii) The teacher candidate engages in continuous collaborative learning to inform (iv) The teacher candidate is able to integrate knowledgeable, reflective and critical perspectives on early education. 9-4
(v) The teacher candidate knows, understands, and uses positive relationships and supportive interactions. (vi) The teacher candidate identifies and involves oneself with the early childhood field. (d) Disposition. The teacher candidate performs as a professional early childhood educator. (i) The teacher candidate believes early childhood educators provide effective and challenging learning experiences for all young children. (ii) The teacher candidate values the family's role in early care and education. (iii) The teacher candidate believes assessments aid teachers and families to inform curriculum and instruction and facilitate desired outcomes for young children. (iv) The teacher candidate believes social interactions (teacher-child and child-child) in daily routines and learning activities are critical to effective teaching and learning. (v) The teacher candidate believes in the importance of integrating discipline content (literacy, math, etc.) in meaningful contexts within the curriculum. (vi) The teacher candidate values the use of a variety of instructional approaches to accommodate individual children's needs from play-based to direct instruction. profession. (vii) The teacher candidate advocates for children, families and the early childhood (e) Teaching Experience Requirements. The teacher candidate has numerous opportunities to observe, interact with, and instruct young children within a quality program. The institution must evaluate the setting for quality based upon state preschool regulations and national accreditation. (i) Supervised Experiences. The teacher candidate has experiences teaching while under the direct supervision of an early childhood professional. (A) childhood education settings. The teacher candidate has observed in a variety of diverse birth to five early (B) The teacher candidate has utilized a variety of education theories to identify his/her knowledge, competencies and dispositions. 9-5
(ii) Professional Experiences. The teacher candidate has an internship teaching experience in a preschool under the guidance of an early childhood professional. childhood standards. (A) (B) The teacher candidate shows evidence of proficiency in all preschool early The teacher candidate's teaching experience is for a sufficient length of time. I. The teacher candidate who has not completed an elementary, middle or secondary education program must complete a teaching experience of no less than eight consecutive weeks. II. The teacher candidate who holds a Wyoming certificate in either early childhood/special education, elementary, middle, or secondary education must complete a teaching experience of sufficient length of time to show knowledge and competence in meeting the preschool early childhood standards. (f) Academic Requirement. The teacher candidate has completed a bachelor's degree. 9-6