Implementation and Salary Reclassification for SPED Personnel
- To strengthen the Special Education (SPED) Program, salary grades for SPED teachers and principals under Republic Act No. 6758 will be implemented.
- Regional Directors must recommend reclassification of regular teacher and principal items to SPED positions for personnel actually providing special education services.
- Reclassification is subject to fund availability and will be implemented on a staggered basis.
Procedural Guidelines for Reclassification
- Specific guidelines and the list of required documents are detailed in Inclosure No. 1.
- All relevant documents for SPED teachers and principals should be submitted through official channels to the Secretary of Education, Culture and Sports.
- Immediate dissemination and compliance with this order is mandated.
Definition and Scope of SPED Teacher
- A SPED teacher is an elementary grades teacher formally trained in Special Education and currently teaching children with special needs.
- This includes children who are gifted, mentally retarded, visually or hearing impaired, learning disabled, orthopedically handicapped, chronically ill, autistic, or with behavior problems.
- SPED teachers serve in special schools, SPED centers, and regular schools with SPED programs.
Qualification Standards for SPED Teachers
- SPED Teacher I (Grade 13): Bachelor’s degree in Education with SPED specialization or at least 18 graduate units in SPED; civil service eligibility; minimum 3 years experience in SPED; Very Satisfactory performance rating for three years.
- A one-month summer training recognized as 9 units credit.
- SPED Teacher II (Grade 14): At least 38 graduate units in Special Education.
- SPED Teacher III (Grade 15): Master’s degree in Special Education or equivalent.
Definition and Scope of Special School Principal
- A Special School Principal manages special education centers/schools serving children with various special needs categories.
Qualification Standards for Special School Principals
- Special School Principal I (Grade 18): Professional training in organization, administration, and supervision of SPED; teaching experience with children with special needs; supervises 10-25 SPED teachers.
- Special School Principal II (Grade 19): Supervises at least 50 SPED teachers.
Required Documentation for Reclassification
For SPED Teachers:
- Transcript of Records or certificates of training/attendance in SPED, or certification of required graduate units from recognized institutions.
- Civil Service Eligibility rating card.
- Certification from Principal verifying 3 years SPED teaching experience.
- Certification from Principal of Very Satisfactory performance rating for the last three years.
For Special School Principals:
- Transcript or certification of training in SPED organization, administration, and supervision.
- Certification by Schools Division Superintendent of teaching experience with children with special needs.
- List of SPED teachers supervised, certified by the Schools Division Superintendent.