About
Traineeship Program funds are available to help defray part of the tuition costs for courses that lead to teacher certification in special education or early childhood education.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA 2004: Public Law 108-446) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the nation. IDEIA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education, and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities. The Act increased the need in Kentucky for qualified special education and early childhood teachers. The Kentucky Department of Education addresses this need through the Traineeship Program by allocating federal professional development funds to provide tuition assistance for special educators and preschool teachers in obtaining certification in the area in which they are teaching. With the increasing shortage of fully certified teachers seeking teaching positions in special education and early childhood education, a major focus of the Traineeship program is on teachers seeking alternative certification, emergency or probationary certification, and working toward full certification while enrolled in a Kentucky institution of higher education.
- Asbury College
- Campbellsville University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Georgetown College
- Kentucky State University
- Morehead State University
- Murray State University
- Northern Kentucky University[
- Spalding University
- Union College
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville
- University of the Cumberlands
- Western Kentucky Unversity
Approved areas of certification include:
- Learning & Behavior Disorders
- Moderate & Severe Disabilities
- Early Childhood Education (IECE)
- Visually Impaired
- Hearing Impaired
- Communication Disabilities
- Director of Special Education