The Learning Disabilities (LD) Certification Program is an ‘add-on’ licensure program that prepares new and practicing teachers to successfully teach and assist students with learning disabilities in K-12 North Carolina school settings. It is an 18 credit hour program that is completed by nearly all students on a part time basis over two years. There were 41 students enrolled in the program in 2000-2001 and we expect that number to be similar or greater in 2001-2002. We draw students from a geographical area extending from Johnston County to Guilford County, and from Person County to Chatham County. Teachers from over a dozen different school districts are represented in the program.

There are two SOE faculty who teach in the program and, for the past few years, one adjunct has taught one course. Of the six courses in the program, one is essentially taught off campus (internship), three are taught primarily on line, and two are taught on campus.

Student grades, products, formal evaluations, and informal feedback suggest that students in the LD program are well prepared, given the limited number of program hours. Feedback from district special education directors is very favorable as well. We were not, however, content to simply continue the program ‘as is.’ During 2000-2001, we reconceptualized the program to reflect more integrated curriculum so that student learning would be further enhanced. This resulted in the reorganization of several courses, particularly the courses that were largely devoted to content including learner characteristics, assessment methods, and instructional methods. The program revision was endorsed by the SOE professional studies committee as well as the entire SOE faculty, and will be effective in Fall 2002.