Illinois is seeing a growing need for qualified special education teachers, with many districts reporting significant shortages and difficulties filling positions, despite the statewide decrease in teacher vacancies. Experienced teachers interested in beginning a career in special education in Illinois need a Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS 1) endorsement, which requires an existing bachelor’s degree and a valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL). The pathways to becoming a special education teacher in Illinois involve completing a state-approved program with specific coursework, such as special education methods and assessments, and passing the LBS 1 content area test.
An LBS 1 endorsement, like the one offered through Aurora University’s online Special Education Endorsement: LBS 1 program, qualifies an already licensed teacher to work with students with a wide range of disabilities (ages K-12) in various educational settings. After securing the endorsement, educators can teach in special education and also explore a variety of related careers, such as inclusion specialist, resource specialist, disability case manager, or juvenile detention center teacher. This guide examines the requirements for obtaining an LBS 1 endorsement and what you can expect in a special education graduate program.
Illinois Special Education Teacher Requirements
To become a special education teacher in Illinois, you need a bachelor’s degree in a related field, completion of an accredited teacher preparation program, and student teaching experience. You then need to pass the relevant Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) and Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) exams to apply for a state teaching license.
As a licensed teacher, you need full-time teaching experience and, finally, the completion of the LBS 1 endorsement. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the requirements:
Educational and Programmatic Requirements
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: Earn a bachelor’s degree in special education, elementary education, or a related field.
- Complete teacher preparation programs: Complete an accredited teaching program, which includes required coursework and a student teaching internship in a special education classroom.
- Pursue a master’s degree (optional): While not always required for initial licensure, a master’s degree in education can develop advanced skills and is often pursued by those in the special education field.
Licensure and Exams
- Pass exams: Pass the required licensing exams, including the ILTS exams, and the edTPA performance evaluation.
- Apply for licensure: Submit a completed application to the state for your PEL after meeting all other requirements.
Experience
- Classroom time: Once licensed, teachers should gain hands-on classroom experience in a K-12 setting.
- Full-time contract: To be eligible for AU’s LBS 1 endorsement program, applicants must have a full-time teaching contract.
Endorsement
- LBS1 coursework: Once all prior requirements are met, teachers then complete an LBS 1 endorsement program.
- Exam: After coursework is complete and all requirements are met, take the LBS 1 exam to receive certification.
Understanding Special Education Endorsements in Illinois
The LBS 1 endorsement allows educators to work with students who have various disabilities, including learning disabilities, emotional or behavioral disorders, intellectual disabilities, autism, and physical or orthopedic impairments. The endorsement level is tied to the grade range of the educator’s existing PEL, with an LBS 1 serving K-12 students. The LBS 1 endorsement is an add-on specialization in special education to an entry-level teaching license that indicates an educator is qualified to teach and has completed the necessary coursework.
The LBS 1 endorsement qualifies educators to teach students in special education settings, including co-teaching in inclusive classrooms, running a resource room or pull-out program, teaching in self-contained classrooms, working with students in hospitals or juvenile detention centers, and writing individualized education programs (IEPs).
Learn more about Aurora University's online Special Education Endorsement: LBS 1 program.
Graduate's of AU's online Special Education Endorsement: LBS 1 program develop advanced skills and is often pursued by those in the special education field.
Learn MoreSpecial Education Endorsement Illinois Online Options
Online LBS 1 endorsement programs in Illinois offer numerous benefits, such as flexibility and convenience for working teachers. Online courses allow teachers to integrate their continuing education into their current teaching schedule, and some online programs allow students to complete their courses at an accelerated rate, if they choose.
The online format helps educators balance teaching with professional development by letting them complete coursework at their own pace from anywhere, without the need for physical commutes. Furthermore, LBS 1 endorsement programs are designed to prepare current educators to work in diverse settings by providing skills in areas such as assessment, instruction, and leadership that they can begin using right away in their classrooms.
What to Expect in Special Education Programs in Illinois
Typical coursework in a special education program in Illinois includes assessments, strategies, differentiating instruction, and inclusivity. Aurora University’s curriculum consists of the following courses:
- Characteristics and Identification of Disabilities and the Law
- Prosocial Skills and Challenging Behaviors
- Strategies and Assistive Technology for Students with Low Incidence and Multiple Disabilities
- Trends: Collaboration, Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom, and Transition
- Psychoeducational Assessment of Students with Disabilities
- Reading Disabilities Theory and Intervention
The skills gained in these six courses involve assessment modification, cognitive development, curriculum-based assessment, disability identification, intervention methods, and research methods. The programs are typically 15 credit hours, but the total time depends on the individual program’s structure and a student’s course load. At AU, the LBS 1 endorsement program is estimated to take one year to complete. The program includes 18 credit hours, with each course lasting eight weeks.
Start Your Special Education Journey Today
Becoming a special education teacher in Illinois means opening the door to an expanding field in which your work is in demand. Educators with a bachelor’s degree, preparation hours, valid Illinois licensure, and a full-time teaching contract can complete the online LBS1 endorsement at Aurora University quickly and begin working with a diverse student body.
AU’s LBS 1 endorsement online program helps educators gain the skills to work with a wide range of students. It offers a comprehensive curriculum and solid preparation for various special education career paths, including adult education instructor, behavioral counselor, disability case manager, and elementary school special education teacher. Explore the program, tuition information, curriculum, a full suite of career services and resources, and career outcomes, and apply today to begin your journey into special education in Illinois.
Learn more about Aurora University’s online Special Education Endorsement: LBS 1 program.
