Exceptional Needs Specialist/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood

Candidates in this certificate area are required to select one of five paths described in the standards below. Candidates should select the path that best identifies their teaching situation when applying for National Board Certification.

The following documents are in PDF format. If you are unable to read them, please download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Assessment at a Glance:

This document contains information about the following topics:

• Choosing the right certificate
• Reviewing the Standards
• Portfolio entry descriptions
• Assessment center exercise descriptions
• Retired Prompts
• Understanding the National Board Scoring Process
• Certification planning timeline

Download the Assessment at a Glance.

Standards:

Read the standards for this certificate. This document contains information about the following topics:

Preparing for Student Learning

• Knowledge of Students
• Knowledge of Special Education
• Communications
• Diversity
• Knowledge of Subject Matter

Advancing Student Learning

• Meaningful Learning
• Multiple Paths to Knowledge
• Social Development

Supporting Student Learning

• Assessment
• Learning Environment
• Instructional Resources
• Family Partnerships

Professional Development and Outreach

• Reflective Practice
• Contributing to the Profession and to Education

Download Standards

Portfolio Instructions:

Read the portfolio instructions for this certificate. This document contains information about the following topics:

• The Five Core Propositions
• Portfolio Overview
• Portfolio Guidelines and Considerations
• Studying the Standards
• Writing About Teaching
• Video Practice
• Preparing and Mailing Your Portfolio
• Portfolio and Eligibility Forms

Download General Portfolio Instructions

Download ECYA/ENS Portfolio Instructions

Scoring Guide for Candidates:

This document contains information about the following topics:

• Part 1: Understanding and Interpreting your Scores - General information common to all certificates on understanding and interpreting your scores
• Part 2: Understanding and Applying the Scoring Criteria - Scoring rubrics for portfolio entries and assessment center exercises specific to your certificate area
• Evaluation of Evidence - Information that governs how assessors record the evidence in each entry, specific to your certificate area  

Download Scoring Guide for Candidates:

Part 1: Understanding and Interpreting Your Scores

Part 2: ECYA/ENS Understanding and Applying the Scoring Criteria

ECYA/ENS Evaluation of Evidence