Bilingual Special Educator Program (BiSPED)

Welcome

The BiSped Program, in partnership with local school districts, recruits bilingual employees with a bachelor’s degree who seek a special education license. Beyond the 60 credits for licensure, BiSped participants complete three additional classes (9 credits) tailored to provide grounding in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students with and without disabilities and their families. The courses for the two-year, part-time program are held late afternoons during the regular school year and during days over two summers.

Ten participants per year are accepted. The program goals are to provide:

• A research-based licensure program leading to highly qualified special educator status to increase the academic success of English language learners and decrease their disproportionate representation in special education
• Mentorship during field experiences and through their first year of teaching to increase retention in the field
• Support to participants and graduates in forming school-based teams with knowledge of ELL issues