It takes roughly 14-16 weeks for the teacher certification process to be complete in Rhode Island. Below, we'll look at the step-by-step route needed for special education teachers in the state.
Requirements for Special Education Teachers in Rhode Island
| Average Salary for Special Education Teachers Rhode Island (2019)* | $72,750 (Preschool) $75,040 (Elementary School) $75,000 (Middle School) $78,230 (High School) |
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree |
| Required Field | Special Education |
| Testing Requirements | *Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam *Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications (5543) |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Step 1: Complete Your Education
Rhode Island, similar to many other U.S. states, requires at least a bachelor's degree to get licensed as a teacher. If you want to become a special education teacher, there are many colleges and universities in R.I. that offer bachelor's degrees concentrating in special education. Some may focus more on a grade level, such as elementary special education, while others stick with just special education as a whole. Your program should include an internship that puts you into a special education classroom under the mentorship of a licensed teacher. Your special education program will likely include courses on characteristics of students with special needs, teaching students with mild or moderate disabilities, individual assessment, child psychology, collaborating with home and community for student needs, language development and disorders, and teaching foundations (for both regular and special needs students).
Step 2: Complete Required Exams
Similar to other states, RIDE uses the ETS Praxis system to test their prospective students. There are six endorsement areas for Rhode Island. For a non-specialized endorsement, you'll want to consider one of the grade level endorsements, such as the elementary/middle special education endorsement or the middle/secondary special education endorsement. Depending on the grade level you choose to teach, your Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam will differ. For the elementary and middle school endorsements, you'll want the PLT PK-6 with a passing score of at least 160. For the upper grades, you'll want the PLT 7-12 with a passing score of 157 or higher. Both exams are set up the same way, with 70 multiple-choice questions and four constructed-response questions and two hours for completion.
The second exam you'll need to complete and pass for any grade level is the Special Education: Core Knowledge and Mild to Moderate Applications exam. This 2-hour exam includes 93 questions in total: 90 multiple-choice and three constructed-response. This exam looks at five category areas:
- Assessment
- Instruction
- Development and characteristics of learners
- Foundations and responsibilities
- Planning and the learning environment
Certification Resources for Rhode Island Special Education Teachers
When studying for certification exams, take all the help you can get. That's why we've put together a small list of study guide links that can help you to prepare for those Praxis exams.
- Prepare for the Praxis Exam
- Praxis PLT - Grades K-6 (5622): Practice & Study Guide
- Praxis PLT - Grades 7-12 (5624): Practice & Study Guide
