Professional standards and codes of practice exist for special educators and professionals who work with students with exceptionalities. These standards are guidelines and criteria for professional employment, development, and behaviors. The are recommendations for best practice in the profession. The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has developed Standards of Professional Practice for the preparation and certification of special education teachers. Click on: The CEC International Standards for Entry into Professional Practice to see an excerpt of recommended practices for beginning special educators. Standards and ethical codes of practice have also been issued by other professional organizations.

State education agencies may also outline other procedures and assessments for teacher candidates. Some of these involve standardized assessments in general and specific subject matter for teacher certification. The National Teacher Examination (NTE) and the Praxis Series developed by Educational Testing Service are two examples.

New programs, such as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are also being implemented. NBPTS is a voluntary certification process based on performance assessments to demonstrate skills in advanced teaching. NBPTS certification standards are outlined for teachers with exceptional needs and included fourteen standards.

You will find a listing of several resources on professional standards and practice below.

Resources and References on Professional Standards

Online Documents Available on Professional Standard

The Association of Teacher Education, The Division of Early Childhood and The National Association for the Education of Young Children (1998). Personnel Standards for Early Education and Early Intervention: A Position of The Association of Teacher Education (ATE), The Division for Early Childhood (DEC), and The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). [Online]. Available:
http://www.dec-sped.org/positions/perstand.html

Council for Administrators of Special Education. Standards: The Special Education Administrator. [Online]. Available:
http://members.aol.com/casecec/mbes.htm#Standards

Council for Exceptional Children (1995). CEC Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. [Online]. Available:
http://www.cec.sped.org/ps/code.htm

Council for Exceptional Children (1998). The Knowledge and Skill Standards for Beginning Paraeducators of Students with Exceptionalities. [Online]. Available:
http://www.cec.sped.org/ps/parastds.htm

Council for Exceptional Children. CEC International Standards for Entry into Professional Practice. [Online]. Available:
http://www.cec.sped.org/ps/ps-entry.htm

Web Resources on Professional Standards

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). http://www.cec.sped.org

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) has a very useful website. Professional standards and preparation information is available.

Education Commission of the States. Professional Standards Boards. http://www.ecs.org/ecs/ecsweb.nsf

The Education Commission of the States devotes a section of its web site to Professional Standard Boards. Summary information is available that describes background information, research and recommendations. State activity in this area is provided.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. http://www.nbpts.org/nbpts/

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards proposes a voluntary system for teacher certification. The group which has established high standards for the teaching profession. This site includes background information and outlines produces for certification. State by state information is provided.

The National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education ( NCPSE) http://www.specialedcareers.org

The NCPSE site provides a number of resources on careers in special education and related services. Background information on careers and preparation requirements, an on-line newsletter, and resources for employment are some of the features available.

Print Resources on Professional Standards

Council for Exceptional Children (1995). What Every Special Educator Must Know: The International Standards for the Preparation and Certification of Special Education Teachers. Reston, VA.