In Oregon, educator candidates become eligible for a state educator license by completing coursework, student teaching and assessments, used to determine their status as program completers. Once all criteria are met, candidates can then be recommended to Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TPSC) for an educator license. Assessments during a program include subject matter test(s), a civil rights knowledge test, and a nationally-scored assessment, edTPA.. For information on Oregon testing requirements please refer to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission website.
Tools of multiple measure are available to programs to assist candidates for whom tests or assessments present a barrier to program completion. Each licensure program in the COE has processes for utilizing the multiple measures tools which were developed by TSPC.
Visually Impaired Learner Initial License or Endorsement Program
The Visually Impaired Learner Program provides an initial license or endorsement to work with students who have blindness or visual impairments. With an authorization of birth-21, students will achieve the competencies to deliver services in both public school and specialized school settings. The primary focus of the program is prepare candidates to teach within the expanded core curriculum and adapt the general education curriculum to insure accessibility for students.
Requirements
Courses
| SpEd 509 | Practicum I | 3 |
| SpEd 509 | Practicum II | 3 |
| SpEd 510 | Legal and Ethical Foundations | 3 |
| SpEd 520 | Collaboration I: Families and Community - EL and EI/SE | 3 |
| SpEd 548 | Positive Behavior Support in the Classroom | 3 |
| SpEd 525 | Student Teaching | 6-15 |
| SpEd 540 | Foundations of Education for the Visually Impaired Learner | 3 |
| SpEd 541 | Implications of Vision Problems of Children/Youth | 3 |
| SpEd 542 | Assessment of the Visually Impaired | 3 |
| SpEd 543 | Reading and Literacy - Visually Impaired Learners | 3 |
| SpEd 544 | Methods of Teaching Academics: Visually Impaired Learner | 3 |
| SpEd 545 | Introduction to Orientation and Mobility and Independent Living Skills | 3 |
| SpEd 546 | Braille I | 3 |
| SpEd 547 | Braille II | 2 |
| SpEd 575 | Braille III/Technology for the Visually Impaired | 3 |
| SpEd 576 | Visually Impaired Learner with Additional Disabilities | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 56
Adding a VIL endorsement to a non-provisional teaching license may vary by state and type of current license held but is approximately 42-50 credits.