In Kentucky, LBD teachers may provide specially designed instruction as a collaborative teacher in the regular class at any grade level kindergarten through grade 12. However, to be the student’s primary teacher of core academic content areas (reading, writing, math, science, social studies) taught exclusively by the LBD teacher in a resource room or self-contained classroom, federal regulations require that the LBD teacher also be considered “highly qualified” in the content.

  To be considered highly qualified to teach core academic content to LBD students in elementary resource, special class or other settings outside the general education classroom, the LBD certified person must additionally hold elementary certification OR pass the Praxis test required in Kentucky for elementary teachers on the academic content in elementary grades (#0014). For middle and high school resource and special classes, the LBD candidate must hold secondary certification in the applicable content area(s) OR pass the applicable Praxis test(s) on academic content.

  In Kentucky, LBD is a stand-alone certificate that does not require dual certification with general education. Although some LBD preparation programs in Kentucky are structured for dual certification, Georgetown’s program is not. However, candidates must know about the general education curriculum since the LBD certificate prepares teachers for teaching methods rather than academic content. It is strongly recommended that LBD candidates who do not hold elementary certification take and pass the content test required of elementary teachers in Kentucky (#0014).