Section 281.41.402. Authorized personnel.

An agency is authorized to employ the following types of special education personnel, as appropriate to the special education and related services provided.

       41.402(1) Director of special education. The director shall be responsible for the implementation of special education for eligible individuals pursuant to Iowa Code section 273.5 and these rules. The director’s powers and duties shall include:

        a.           Properly identifying children requiring special education,

        b.           Ensuring that each child requiring special education in the area receives an appropriate special education program or service,

        c.           Assigning appropriate weights for each child requiring special education programs or services as provided in Iowa Code section 256B.9,

        d.           Supervising special education support personnel,

        e.           Providing each school district within the area served and the department with a special education weighted enrollment count, including the additional enrollment because of special education by the date specified in the Iowa Code,

        f.            Submitting to the department special education instructional and support program plans and applications, subject to the criteria listed in Iowa Code chapters 256B and 273, for approval by the deadline specified in the Iowa Code,

        g.           Coordinating the special education program within the area served, and

        h.           Reporting any violation of the Act or this chapter to the department for appropriate action.

       41.402(2) Special education instructional personnel. Special education instructional personnel serve as teachers or instructional assistants at the preschool, elementary or secondary levels for eligible individuals.

       41.402(3) Special education support personnel. The following positions are those of special education support personnel who provide special education and related services as stated in each definition. These personnel work under the direction of the director and may provide identification, evaluation, remediation, consultation, systematic progress monitoring, continuing education and referral services in accordance with appropriate licensure (certification) and endorsement or approval, or statement of professional recognition. They may also engage in data collection, applied research and program evaluation.

“Assistant director of special education” provides specific areawide administrative, supervisory and coordinating functions as delegated by the director.

“Audiologist” applies principles, methods and procedures for analysis of hearing functioning in order to plan, counsel, coordinate and provide intervention strategies and services for individuals with deafness or hearing impairments.

“Consultant” is the special education instructional specialist who provides ongoing support to special and general education instructional personnel delivering services to eligible individuals. The consultant participates in the identification process and program planning of eligible individuals as well as working to attain the least restrictive environment appropriate for each eligible individual. The consultant demonstrates instructional procedures, strategies, and techniques; assists in the development of curriculum and instructional materials; assists in transition planning; and provides assistance in classroom management and behavioral intervention.

“Educational interpreter” interprets or translates spoken language into sign language commensurate with the receiver’s language comprehension and interprets or translates sign language into spoken language.

“Educational strategist” provides assistance to general education classroom teachers in developing intervention strategies for individuals who are disabled in obtaining an education but can be accommodated in the general education classroom environment.

“Itinerant teacher” provides special education on an itinerant basis to eligible individuals.

“Occupational therapist” is a licensed health professional who applies principles, methods and procedures for analysis of, but not limited to, motor or sensorimotor functions to determine the educational significance of identified problem areas including fine motor manipulation, self-help, adaptive work skills, and play or leisure skills in order to provide planning, coordination, and implementation of intervention strategies and services for eligible individuals.

“Physical therapist” is a licensed health professional who applies principles, methods and procedures for analysis of motor or sensorimotor functioning to determine the educational significance of motor or sensorimotor problems within, but not limited to, areas such as mobility and positioning in order to provide planning, coordination, and the implementation of intervention strategies and services for eligible individuals.

“School psychologist” assists in the identification of needs regarding behavioral, social, emotional, educational and vocational functioning of individuals; analyzes and integrates information about behavior and conditions affecting learning; consults with school personnel and parents regarding planning, implementing and evaluating individual and group interventions; provides direct services through counseling with parents, individuals and families; and conducts applied research related to psychological and educational variables affecting learning.

“School social worker” enhances the educational programs of individuals by assisting in identification and assessment of individuals’ educational needs including social, emotional, behavioral and adaptive needs; provides intervention services including individual, group, parent and family counseling; provides consultation and planning; and serves as a liaison among home, school and community.

“Special education coordinator” facilitates the provision of special education within a specific geographic area.

“Special education media specialist” is a media specialist who facilitates the provision of media services to eligible individuals; provides consultation regarding media and materials used to support special education and related services for eligible individuals; and aids in the effective use of media by special education personnel.

“Special education nurse” is a professional registered nurse who assesses, identifies and evaluates the health needs of eligible individuals; interprets for the family and educational personnel how health needs relate to individuals’ education; implements specific activities commensurate with the practice of professional nursing; and integrates health into the educational program.

“Speech-language pathologist” applies principles, methods and procedures for an analysis of speech and language comprehension and production to determine communicative competencies and provides intervention strategies and services related to speech and language development as well as disorders of language, voice, articulation and fluency.

“Supervisor” is the professional discipline specialist who provides for the development, maintenance, supervision, improvement and evaluation of professional practices and personnel within a specialty area.

“Work experience coordinator” plans and implements sequential secondary programs that provide on- and off-campus work experience for individuals requiring specially designed career exploration and vocational preparation when they are not available through the general education curriculum.

“Others (other special education support personnel)” may be employed as approved by the department and board of educational examiners.