Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the Multidimensionality of Special Education Licensure Policies Across the United States

Esther R. Lindstrom; Jihyun Kim; Kimberly A. McFadden; Megan Hauser; Adelle Sturgell; Christiana Nielsen-Pheiffer; Rui Chen; Emma Fisher

doi:10.1080/09362835.2025.2566673

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Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the Multidimensionality of Special Education Licensure Policies Across the United States

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the Multidimensionality of Special Education Licensure Policies Across the United States

Esther R. Lindstrom, Jihyun Kim, Kimberly A. McFadden, Megan Hauser, Adelle Sturgell, Christiana Nielsen-Pheiffer, Rui Chen and Emma Fisher

Exceptionality : the official journal of the Division for Research of the Council for Exceptional Children, Vol.34(1), pp.18-28

01/01/2026

DOI: 10.1080/09362835.2025.2566673

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Abstract

Students with disabilities benefit from being taught by well-prepared, high-quality special education teachers. State-level special education teacher licensure policies, which directly influence teacher preparation and training, vary considerably across multiple dimensions, including dual licensure, grade bands, and disability categories. This article presents a summary of special education licensure policies across all 50 states and Washington D.C. taking into account these dimensions. Results indicate most states favor standalone special education licensure, defined by no required additional licensure in general education, and cross-categorical licensure, in which teachers can work with students across disability categories. We outline the various sources of complexity in special education licensure policies as they relate to issues of causal inference research, policy, and practice, and provide guidance and considerations for moving forward.

Social Sciences

Education & Educational Research

Education, Special

Details

Title: Subtitle: Challenges and Opportunities: Examining the Multidimensionality of Special Education Licensure Policies Across the United States
Creators: Esther R. Lindstrom - University of Illinois Chicago
Jihyun Kim - Sungshin Women's University
Kimberly A. McFadden - Lehigh University
Megan Hauser - Georgetown University
Adelle Sturgell - Lehigh University
Christiana Nielsen-Pheiffer - DeSales University
Rui Chen - East Stroudsburg University
Emma Fisher - Academy of Arts
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Exceptionality : the official journal of the Division for Research of the Council for Exceptional Children, Vol.34(1), pp.18-28
DOI: 10.1080/09362835.2025.2566673
ISSN: 0936-2835
eISSN: 1532-7035
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Number of pages: 11
Grant note: 1749275 / American Educational Research Association [NSF-DRL)
Language: English
Date published: 01/01/2026
Academic Unit: Teaching and Learning
Record Identifier: 9985179837702771

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