Twenty–five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b."

Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.

Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code section 272.2, the Board of Educational Examiners hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 15, "Requirements for Special Education Endorsements," Iowa Administrative Code.

The proposed amendment regarding the school social worker statement of professional recognition (SPR) is necessary to align with the appropriate class of licensure issued by the Iowa Board of Social Work Examiners and the recent changes that were made in that Board’s rules.

A waiver provision is not included. The Board has adopted a uniform waiver rule.

Any interested party or persons may present their views either orally or in writing at the public hearing that will be held Tuesday, August 10, 2004, at 10 a.m. in Room 3 South, Third Floor, Grimes State Office Building, East 14th Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

At the hearing, persons will be asked to give their names and addresses for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of the proposed amendment. Persons who wish to make oral presentations at the public hearing may contact the Executive Director, Board of Educational Examiners, Grimes State Office Building, East 14th Street and Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319–0147, or at (515)281– 5849, prior to the date of the public hearing.

Any person who intends to attend the public hearing and requires special accommodations for specific needs, such as a sign language interpreter, should contact the office of the Executive Director at (515)281–5849.

Any interested person may make written comments or suggestions on the proposed amendment before 4 p.m. on Friday, August 13, 2004. Written comments and suggestions should be addressed to Barbara F. Hendrickson, Board Secretary, Board of Educational Examiners, at the above address, or sent by E–mail to barbara.hendrickson@iowa.gov, or by fax to (515)281–7669.

This amendment is intended to implement Iowa Code chapter 272.

A fiscal impact summary prepared by the Legislative Services Agency pursuant to Iowa Code Supplement § 17A.4(3) will be available at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/IAC.html or at (515)281–5279 prior to the Administrative Rules Review Committee’s review of this rule making.

The following amendment is proposed.

Amend subrule 15.3(15) as follows:

15.3(15) School social worker.

a. Authorization. The holder of this endorsement An individual who meets the requirements of paragraph 15.3(15)"b" or 15.3(15)"c" is authorized to serve as a school social worker to pupils from birth to the age of 21 (and to a maximum allowable age in accord accordance with Iowa Code section 256B.8).

b. Option 1. Program Endorsement requirements. Master’s degree in social work from an accredited school of social work to include a minimum of 20 semester hours of coursework (including practicum experience) which demonstrates skills, knowledge, and competencies in the following areas:

(1) Social work: Study and knowledge in the following three areas:

1. Assessment (e.g., social, emotional, behavioral, and familial, etc.).

2. Intervention (e.g., individual, group, and family counseling, etc.).

3. Related studies (e.g., community resource coordination, multidiscipline teaming, organizational behavior, and research, etc.).

(2) Education: Study and knowledge in the following areas:

1. General education (e.g., school law, foundations of education, methods, psychoeducational measurement, behavior management, child development, etc.).

2. Special education (e.g., exceptional children, psychoeducational measurement, behavior management, special educational education regulations, counseling school age children, etc.).

3. Practicum experience: The program shall include an A practicum experience in a school setting under the supervision of an experienced school social work practitioner is required. The practicum shall include experiences that lead to the development of professional identity and the disciplined use of self. These experiences will include: in assessment; , direct services to children and families; , consultation; , staffing, community liaison and documentation; which leads to the development of professional identity and the disciplined use of self. If a person has served two years as a school social worker, the practicum experience can be waived.

4. Completion of an approved human relations component.

5. The program must include preparation that contributes to the education of the handicapped and the students with disabilities and students who are gifted and talented.

c. Option 2: . Statement of professional recognition (SPR).

The special education director (or designee) of the area education agency or local education agency must submit a letter an application requesting that the authorization be issued. Additionally, an official transcript reflecting the master’s in social work must be included. If a person qualifies for a regular license, that must also be submitted. A temporary SPR will then be issued for one school year. An approved human relations course must be completed before the start of the next school year. The applicant must provide evidence that the human relations component has been fulfilled within the required time frame. The application must include:

A temporary SPR will be granted for two additional school years to allow the person time to complete the two years’ supervised practice experience that are required before taking the social work license examination and to allow sufficient time to complete successfully the examination and be issued the license. At the end of the third school year, the applicant must submit a copy of a social work license issued by the Iowa department of public health.