Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Teacher Registry?

The Special Education Teacher Registry is a training project funded by the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) and coordinated by the Center for Learning and Leadership. Registry training was created as a mechanism to provide approved training in federal criteria areas for which no special education certification exists. These federal criteria areas include: Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Multiple Disabilities and Deaf/Blindness, and Other Health Impairment (OHI). Thirty-two hour trainings have been developed and are coordinated by the Center for Learning and Leadership.

Who needs Registry status?

Special education teachers holding categorical certification and serving as teacher of record for a student with Autism, TBI, OHI, Multiple Disabilities or Deaf/Blindness. Special education teachers who hold mild/moderate or severe/profound certification are not required to complete teacher registry training in order to assist in developing and monitoring the implementation of students served in the categories of Autism, TBI, OHI, Multiple Disabilities and Deaf/Blindness.

How do I obtain Registry training?

Registry trainings are offered every school year. In August, training registration information is mailed statewide to superintendents and special education directors for further dissemination to special education personnel. Registration forms may be obtained from any of these sources or through the Center for Learning and Leadership.

Registration for each 32-hour registry training is limited to 60 participants. This limited registration ensures that individual attention is given to participants, and to accommodate small work groups and a case study format. The following priority system is implemented on each registration deadline date to determine which participants are confirmed.

Priority

Priority #1
Special education teachers who are currently serving a student with the disability being targeted by the registry training in multiple disabilities and deaf/blindness, other health impairment, autism, or traumatic brain injury. NOTE: First consideration will be given to teachers with approved emergency assignment status from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE). Superintendents can seek emergency assignment status for teachers by contacting the Oklahoma State Department of Education Professional Services.

Priority #2
All other special education personnel or general education teachers who are serving a student with the targeted disability. Such personnel may include psychologists, psychometrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language pathologists, counselors, nurses, and paraprofessionals.

Priority #3
Special education teachers who are not currently serving a student with the targeted disability.

Priority #4
All other special education personnel who are not currently serving a student with the targeted disability.

Priority #5
Administrators who are currently serving a student with the targeted disability.

Priority #6
Administrators who are not currently serving a student with the targeted disability.

Priority #7
Independent consultants.

How do I obtain approved emergency status?

To get approved OSDE emergency status, your superintendent sends a letter of request to Dr. Ramona Paul, Assistant State Superintendent, Professional Services, Oklahoma State Department of Education. Professional Services of the OSDE sends an approval letter to the superintendent with a copy to the Registry Coordinator.

Once on approved OSDE emergency status, special education teachers have three (3) years to complete the 32 hours of approved training for that registry area. The teacher can sign the IEP as teacher of record during that period.

When special education teachers on approved emergency status register to attend training in the area of emergency, they are given top priority.

Once I have completed registry training, what do I need to do to document my registry status?

Following completion of an approved 32-hour training, special education teachers are asked by the workshop coordinator to complete a Trainee Information Form. This form obtains the demographic information needed for the OSDE Teacher Registry Database which tracks teacher participation.