AARC

AARC Benefits

• Affordable tuition
• DSAP eligible after by August or at start of school year
• Cohort model with mentor support
• Summer sessions, hybrid learning, and Saturday classes allow candidates to complete the program while remaining employed 
• Job-embedded assignments
• Real-world application of knowledge and skills working with students with exceptionalities

Qualifications for Admission

• Valid teaching certification in the State of Connecticut (school social worker, school psychologist, school counselor, speech-language pathologist not applicable)
• 3 years of successful teaching experience in the last 8 years.
• Note: Successful substitute teaching and paraeducator experience will be considered.
• Completion and submission of application and related materials (including application fee) by application deadline, generally March 31 of any year.
• GPA of 3.0. Candidates with GPAs between 2.5 and 3.0 may petition, in writing, for consideration of a waiver based on a history of exceptional professional experience or recent academic excellence. (Undergraduate coursework GPA of 3.0 is accepted if not enrolled in graduate coursework)
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree is encouraged, but not required.

Summary of Hours, Requirements and Policies

The program is held in three phases:

Component	Phase I	Phase II	Phase III
Classroom experiences 121 hours	35 hours 35 hours of class attendance, including a 1-hour mentor meeting and a 1-hour cohort meeting.	72 hours 70 hours of class attendance 2 hours of mentor meetings	12 hours 10 hours of class attendance 1 hour of mentor meetings 1 hour of portfolio defense
Field work experiences 195 hours See handbook for flexibilities based on current position e.g. Administrator; DSAP; General Education Teacher.	25 hours 25 hours working with or observing students with IEP (Candidates seeking a DSAP must do 25 hours in a position outside of their current position) Additional hours can be completed and applied towards phase II	120 hours 60 hours (can come from working with students with IEPs in your classroom) 60 hours from various grade levels and various disabilities arranged with your mentor Can be done after school, vacations, weekends, during planning time, summer Two observations: one by your mentor, one by school-based personnel, additional as needed	50 hours 50 hours of working with students with IEPs Additional observations if needed
Job embedded assignments and assessments 45 hours	10 hours Reflections and clinical logs from at least 4 hours of fieldwork Phase I portfolio assignments Class homework and readings	25 hours Continued reflections and clinical logs from at least 100 hours of fieldwork Phase II portfolio assignments Class homework and readings	10 hours 1 hour of program commencement meeting Praxis (can be taken at any time after February class) Foundations of Reading Test
Portfolio assignments and assessments	You'll craft an online portfolio, gradually adding completed assignments along with their scores as you progress through the program. This portfolio will serve as a pivotal component during your program commencement meeting, culminating your journey. Moreover, it will be an integral part of the documentation forwarded to the CSDE, substantiating your attainment of the special education cross-endorsement. Please refer to your cohort’s handbook for an outline of assessments and assignments throughout each phase of the program.

AARC FAQ

Do I have to be certified to participate in this AARC?

Yes. An advanced ARC is one in which the applicant holds a valid current teaching certificate for 3 years or more in the state of CT. An example would be elementary education certification, or certification in a content area. If you have questions regarding the qualification of your certification, please contact us.

What certification would I be eligible for as an AARC candidate?

Special education PK-12 endorsement number 165. It will be added to your current certificate as a cross endorsement.

My certification has expired. Can I participate?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Your certification must be current and valid in the state of CT.

Is there financial aid available?

Unfortunately, the answer is no.

I am certified K-8, but want to teach as a special education teacher at the high school level. Would I be able to do that with this cross endorsement?

Yes.

Do I have to take the Praxis I or II?

You will have to take and pass the Praxis II: Core Knowledge and Applications (#5354) in order to apply for this cross endorsement

Do I have to take the Foundations of Reading?

Yes. You must take and pass the Foundations of Reading exam.

What qualifications do I need to apply to the AARC?

A Master’s degree is encouraged, but not required. You will also need at least 3 years professional teaching experience in the last 8 years.

Would substitute teaching count for the experience needed to be accepted into the program?

Yes, we would consider applicants with substitute teaching and tutoring experience. Candidates accepted under alternate conditions are subject to additional requirements. Contact us for more information.

Are there parameters for the clinical experiences?

Yes, you must complete some experiences at both the elementary and the secondary levels. Additionally, you must have opportunities to work in both inclusive and self-contained environments. Experiences must also include a total of 195 hours working with and exposure to students with a variety of disabilities.

How will a participant’s success be measured?

Candidate success is measured through assignments, assessments, and fieldwork experiences aligned with Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) initial preparation standards, Connecticut Common Core of Teaching domains, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) advanced standards. most assignments and performance-based assessments are scored on a 4-point scale with specific criteria to meet or exceed expectations. Candidates must achieve an overall program score of (3)- Meets Expectations in order to complete the program. Some assignments or assessments use a fractional scoring system where candidates achieve points out of a total. Candidates are generally allowed to redo an assignment or assessment if minimum scoring criteria are not met.

Who are the instructors and mentors?

All of the program instructors and mentors are current or retired practitioners with expertise in special education. Every candidate is assigned to a mentor for the duration of the program that meets with candidates regularly throughout the program and supervises fieldwork experiences. Mentors are also in touch with candidates’ on-site partners and score some assessments within the program.

What are the on-site partner requirements?

AARC requires candidates to secure an on-site partner by September to support them through Phases II and III. This should be someone certified in special education with at least three years of experience in special education. This partner provides feedback on the candidate's professional performance, supports reflective practice, and enhances the candidate's teaching skills in special education. The candidate is responsible for submitting their partner's contact information, after which the AARC mentor will connect with the on-site partner to set expectations and discuss the candidate’s progress.

Where do I complete my fieldwork experiences?

You can complete your fieldwork experiences at any school or educational program in the state that has students with disabilities, including the school or district in which you currently work. You are responsible for securing your own fieldwork experiences.

What about credits towards a degree?

CREC does not award college credits or a degree for this program.

How long does the program take to complete?

The program is designed to be completed in 14 months. Candidates that do not complete program requirements within 14 months are subject to a continuation fee.