Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.30

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 290-3-2-.30 - Speech-Language Pathology Assistant (SLA) Certificate Approach

(1)Overview of the SLA Certificate. A public school superintendent may request a nonrenewable Level I SLA Certificate, valid for three scholastic years, to employ an applicant who has an earned bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited senior institution in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders (with a speech-language emphasis) as a full-time speech-language pathology assistant under appropriate supervision. Requirements for issuance of a renewable Level II SLA Certificate, valid for five scholastic years, include 12 semester hours of graduate credit in an Alabama-approved Alternative Class A program in an area of special education and/or a master's degree level speech-language pathology program that holds accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

(2)Limitations on Issuance and Proper Certification.

(a) An administrator of a nonpublic school may not recommend issuance of a SLA Certificate.

(b) An SLA Certificate is not appropriate certification for any other assignment.

(c) A superintendent who fails to provide an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3)(f) forfeits the opportunity to request SLA Certificates in the future.

(3)Requirements for Issuance of a Nonrenewable Level I SLA Certificate. A Level I SLA Certificate, which is valid for three scholastic years and is not renewable, may be issued when all of the following requirements have been met:

(a) A criminal history background check as required by the Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999, as amended, and Rule 290-3-2-.02(8).

(b) A recommendation on the current application for this approach from a superintendent who wishes to employ the applicant as a full-time speech-language pathology assistant.

(c) An earned bachelor's degree with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 from a regionally accredited senior institution in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders (with a speech-language emphasis). For issuance of the Level I SLA with a valid period beginning July 1, 2017, and thereafter, the bachelor's degree must be posted with a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.75. The overall GPA is the GPA posted on the official transcript of the degree granting institution that was used as the basis for granting the degree.

1. The degree must be earned prior to October 1 in order for the SLA Certificate to be valid the previous July 1.

2. The GPA requirement does not apply to an applicant holding a valid Professional Educator Certificate or a valid Professional Leadership Certificate.

(d) For certificates with a valid period beginning prior to July 1, 2011, verification of current passing scores attained on the basic skills assessments and the Praxis II subject assessment of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) on test administration dates prior to May 1 of the first scholastic year of the valid period of the Level I SLA Certificate. The Praxis II requirement becomes effective when a subject assessment is implemented. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.01(6).

(e) Verification of current passing scores attained on the basic skills assessments and the Praxis II subject area test(s) of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) on test administration dates prior to October 1 of the first scholastic year of the valid period of the Level I SLA Certificate. The Praxis II requirement becomes effective when a subject area test(s) is implemented. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.01(6).

(f) The employing superintendent's designation of an appropriate supervisor who is one of the following:

1. A speech-language pathologist who holds a valid Class A or Class AA Professional Educator Certificate in speech or language impairment.

2. A special education coordinator or special education supervisor who holds a valid Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education.

(g) All other requirements on the current application for this approach.

(4)Requirements for Issuance of a Renewable Level II SLA Certificate. A Level II SLA Certificate, which is valid for five scholastic years and is renewable, may be issued when all of the following requirements have been met:

(a) A recommendation on the current application for this approach from a superintendent who wishes to employ the applicant as a full-time speech-language pathology assistant.

(b) A valid or expired Level I SLA Certificate.

(c) Verification on Supplement EXP of at least two full years of full-time employment in one or more Alabama public school systems as a speech-language pathology assistant, while holding a valid Level I SLA Certificate.

(d) Verification on Supplement SLA-S that the two years of employment required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(4)(c) were supervised by an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3)(f).

(e) Documentation of having completed one of the following prior to October 1 of the scholastic year for which the Level II SLA Certificate is to be issued:

1. A valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education.

2. Twelve semester hours of graduate credit with a grade of "B" or above from a regionally accredited senior institution. The credit must be from one of the following three options:

(i) An Alternative Class A special education program.

(ii) A master's degree level speech-language pathology program that holds accreditation by the Council of Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

(iii) A combination of courses from (i) and (ii).

3. Verification of a current passing score attained on the prescribed Praxis II subject area test(s) of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP) on a test administration date prior to October 1 of the scholastic year for which the Level II SLA Certificate is to be issued. The Praxis II requirement becomes effective when a subject area test(s) is implemented. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.01(6).

(f) Other requirements on the current application for this approach, which include the employing superintendent's designation of an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3) (f).

(5)Requirements for the Renewal of a Level II SLA Certificate.

(a)Continuation of a Level II SLA Certificate may be requested on the current application for this approach by a public school superintendent who wishes to employ the applicant as a full-time speech-language pathology assistant when all requirements have been met. All requirements to be applied toward the continuation of a certificate must be completed during the valid period of the current certificate, but no later than June 30 of the calendar year of expiration of the certificate.

1. If the individual holds a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education:

(i) Verification on Supplement EXP of at least three full years of full-time employment in one or more Alabama public school systems as a speech-language pathology assistant, while holding a valid Level II SLA Certificate. In addition to the experience, one of the following options must be met:

(I) Fifty clock hours of allowable professional development. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.29 (12).

(II) Three semester hours of allowable credit. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.29(11).

(ii) Verification on Supplement SLA-S that the three years of employment required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(5)(a)1.(i) were supervised by an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3) (f).

(iii) Other requirements on the current application for this approach, including the employing superintendent's designation of an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3) (f).

(iv) Other requirements applicable to renewing an Alabama certificate. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

2. If the individual does not hold a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education:

(ii) Verification on Supplement SLA-S that the three years of employment required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(5)(a)2.(i) were supervised by an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3)(f).

(iii) Unless the individual has completed all courses and other Alternative Class A State-approved program requirements except the internship, twelve additional semester hours of graduate credit with a grade of "B" or above from a regionally accredited senior institution. The credit must be earned during the valid period of the Level II SLA Certificate to be renewed but no later than June 30 of the calendar year of expiration of the certificate. The credit must be from one of the following three options:

(I) An Alternative Class A special education program.

(II) A master's degree level speech-language pathology program that holds accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

(III) A combination of courses from (I) and (II).

(iv) The requirement for 12 additional semester hours of graduate credit earned during the valid period of the Level II SLA Certificate to be renewed continues until the individual completes one of the following:

(I) Earns a master's degree in speech-language pathology or communication sciences and disorders (with a speech-language emphasis) and holds at least a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in speech and language impairment;

(II) Holds a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education; or

(III) Completes all courses and other Alternative Class A State-approved program requirements for a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education except the internship.

(v) Other requirements on the current application for this approach, including the employing superintendent's designation of an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3)(f).

(vi) Other requirements applicable to renewing an Alabama certificate. Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.29.

(b)Reinstatement of an expired Level II SLA Certificate may be requested on the current application for this approach by a public school superintendent who wishes to employ the individual as a full-time speech-language pathology assistant when all requirements have been met.

1. If the individual held a Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education, requirements for reinstatement of a Level II SLA Certificate are the same as the requirements for reinstatement of a Class A Professional Educator Certificate found in Rule 290-3-2-.29. Additional information about allowable credit is in Rule 290-3-2-.29(11). Additional information about allowable professional development is in Rule 290-3-2-.29(12).

2. If the individual does not hold a valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in an area of special education:

(i) Eighteen additional semester hours of graduate credit with a grade of "B" or above from a regionally accredited senior institution. The credit must be earned within the five years prior to the beginning date of the reinstated certificate and prior to October 1 of the scholastic year for which the new Level II SLA Certificate is to be issued. The credit must be from one of the following three options:

(I) An Alabama Alternative Class A special education program.

(II) A master's degree level speech-language pathology program that holds accreditation by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

(III) A combination of courses from (I) and (II).

3. All other requirements on the current application for this approach, which include the employer's designation of an appropriate supervisor as required in Rule 290-3-2-.30(3)(e).

4. All current requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP). Additional information is in Rule 290-3-2-.01(6).

(6)Valid Period.

(a) The Level I SLA Certificate shall be valid for three scholastic years and is not renewable.

(b) The Level II SLA shall be valid for five scholastic years and is renewable. Additional information about renewing a Level II SLA is in Rule 290-3-2-.30(5).

(7)Historical Information. Class B Professional Educator Certificates in speech or language impairment have not been initially issued with a valid period beginning after July 1, 2007.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-3-2-.30

New Rule: Filed August 4, 2008; effective September 8, 2008. Repealed and New Rule: Filed December 10, 2010; effective January 14, 2011. Repealed and New Rule: Filed January 17, 2014; effective February 21, 2014.

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXIV, Issue No. 06, March 31, 2016, eff. 4/24/2016.

Rule was previously .18 and renumber to .30 as per certification file December 10, 2010.

Author: Dr. Thomas R. Bice

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, Ala. Const. Amend. 284, §§ 16-3-11, 16-23-1, 16-23-2.