Alternative Route Programs for Certification in Special Education: Program Infrastructure, Instructional Delivery, and Participant Characteristics

Abstract

This study describes special education alternative route (AR) teacher preparation programs. The authors developed a national database of programs and collected information on program sponsorship, length and intensity, features, and participant demographics. Most of the 235 programs in the database were in states that had significant shortages of special education teachers, and the authors received 101 responses to the survey. Active collaboration and use of professional standards in program development were commonplace. Most programs required full-time teaching, although the length of preteaching preparation varied dramatically, as did overall program length. Although many participants were general education teachers or recent degree recipients, the largest subgroup consisted of midcareer changers. This article discusses these findings and provides recommendations for additional research.