Department of Education
Dr. Tim Webb, Commissioner

Category One

Preparation of Paraprofessionals / Educational Assistants - Special Education Licensure Project

Eligibility: Individuals who are (1) presently employed in an approved Tennessee public or private school as an educational assistant; (2) serving students with disabilities; and (3) recommended by the Special Education Supervisor / Director. Persons meeting the eligibility criteria may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of tuition remission, and selected fees associated with the coursework leading to Tennessee teacher licensure in special education. Trainees must agree to teach in Tennessee following the completion of the training.

This training for paraprofessionals / educational assistants is offered by the following Universities and Colleges. For additional information, contact the persons named below:

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Category Two

Preparation of Special Educators / Special Education Teachers Seeking Special Education Degrees and/or Licensure

Eligibility: Individuals who are students, including freshmen and transfer and post-baccalaureate candidates, who intend to complete course work leading to a degree in special education and/or Tennessee licensure in the area of special education may be eligible for financial assistantships in the form of tuition remission, cost of books and selected fees. Students who receive assistance under this program must agree to teach special education in a Tennessee school following the completion of the program.

The following Colleges and Universities offer training for persons seeking a degree in special education and/or Tennessee licensure in the area of special education. For additional information, contact the persons named below:

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Category Three

Training for Special Educators / Special Education Teachers Who Have Been Issued Permits, Waivers and Interim Licenses

Eligibility: Persons who are currently employed as teachers or related services personnel (i.e., occupational therapist, school nurse, school psychologist, etc.) in an approved Tennessee public or private school, and (2) have been issued waivers, permits, or Interim Tennessee Teaching License may be eligible for the remission of costs for tuition, books, and fees. The coursework must address the deficiencies and lead to licensure in Tennessee in the area of Special Education. Trainees must agree to work in the Tennessee schools upon completion of the training.

The following Colleges and Universities have received special grants to provide special education coursework for students who meet the eligibility criteria. For additional information, contact the persons listed below:

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Category Four

Become A Special Educator in Tennessee Teaching Program  (BASE-TN Teaching Program)  

Eligibility - The following priority groups have been established for the BASE-TN Teaching Program:

First priority shall be given to candidates with a Bachelor's degree or higher whose approved Plans of Study indicate intent to complete all remaining course work and other requirements for Tennessee licensure in an area of special education within 12 to 24 calendar months from effective date of original award. This first priority includes "career switchers" or persons with a major other than an area of special education who now seek to obtain Tennessee teaching licensure in an area of special education (e.g., persons who hold a degree in general psychology, English, or elementary education). The BASE-TN Teaching Program will provide financial support in the form of tuition remission and books to complete requirements leading to a Tennessee teaching license in an area of special education as reflected in each student’s Plan of Study.

Second priority shall include persons who (a) are currently working full-time as an educational assistant in a Tennessee approved public school, (b) have earned at least two years of transferable college credit in an area of special education, (c) are currently serving students with disabilities on a full-time basis, and (d) submit written intent to earn a Bachelor's degree in special education within a maximum of three calendar years. The BASE-TN Teaching Program will provide financial support in the form of tuition remission and books to complete graduation requirements leading to an initial Tennessee license in special education as reflected in each student’s Plan of Study.

The BASE-TN Teaching Program award entails a commitment to full-time teaching two years in a Tennessee public school for each year the award is received. The goal of the BASE-TN Teaching Program is to help increase the number of properly licensed Tennessee teachers serving students with disabilities in Tennessee public schools.

The following Tennessee colleges and universities have received grants to provide BASE-TN Teaching Program assistantships and fellowships to students who meet the eligibility criteria. Persons interested in applying for a BASE-TN Teaching Program assistantship or fellowship should contact the representatives named below. (For a copy of the BASE-TN Guidelines and general application form, go to tn.gov/education/base-tn/ or tn.gov/education/speced/ and click on "BASE-TN Teaching Program." Note: The completed application should be returned to one of the representatives named below according to the deadlines shown.)

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