Committee conditionally approves school-psychologist licensure language clarifying 'culminating experience'

The committee conditionally approved rule 26-21, which amends licensure requirements for school psychologists. Steve Appleby, director at the Department of Education, proposed inserting a specific definition of "culminating experience" as a hands-on learning opportunity (for example, an internship, student teaching or practicum) completed at the end of an academic program. The department also clarified that the required practical experience may be "1,200 full time over 1 year, or part time over 2 years," replacing a narrower "halftime" phrasing.

Julie Shea, the department’s administrative rules coordinator, said this is the only place the term "culminating experience" is used and the department will add the definition into the section to avoid ambiguity. A committee member suggested changing the wording to "part time over two consecutive years" rather than "halftime"; the department agreed to that edit. The committee moved for conditional approval based on the verbal edits and adopted the rule by voice vote.