By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
HAYS - Fort Hays State University (FHSU) has launched a new program in response to the critical shortage of special education teachers in K-12 schools across the state.
This new program, Super Sped allows the opportunity for students to receive the proper training they need, before becoming a certified special education teacher.
Super Sped, approved by the Kansas State Board of Education (KSBE) is meant to lessen the critical need and shortage of special education teachers across Kansas. Super Sped is an undergraduate degree program housed in FHSU's Advanced Education Programs (AEP) Department.
According to FHSU Assistant Professor and High-Incidence Special Education Coordinator, Dr. Jerrie Brooks, she stated that in many Kansas public school districts, special education teachers works with "high incidence and low incidence" students and teachers need the proper training to be successful.
High incidence - students with common disabilities that appear more frequently in the general education classroom.
Low incidence - students with rare disabilities that appear less frequently in the general education classroom.
The program, launched in August 2025 and FHSU has already accepted students for it.
Dr. Brooks explained students will receive their Bachelor's Degree, while specializing in high and low incidence courses, learning about special education laws, collaboration with general education teachers, parents families and much more aspects.
Dr. Brooks said students can expect to take roughly 60 hours of special education classes and once they receive their degree, the students can be licensed for both low and high incidence.
"The students are receiving the things they need to know to be able to practice and be a quality special education teacher," said Dr. Brooks.
Special Education Director for Central Kansas Cooperative in Education (CKCIE), Jeff Hayes stated this program is unique due to the inclusion of "low incidence" training.
CKCIE provides special education services for twelve school districts across Central Kansas. It began as a federal demonstration project, The Central Kansas Diagnostic and Remedial Education Center. In 1971, twelve districts drew up a cooperative agreement to band together to provide special education services. Under this agreement, Salina USD 305 was designated as the sponsoring district.
Hayes added that small school districts are not generally equipped to handle unique and expensive needs that arise particularly with "low incidence" students.
"Students (with low incidence) who I don't think the general public even thinks attend public schools, but they do," said Hayes. "Access to resources that are uncommon (low incidence students), you cannot find those people to meet those needs and being apart of a co-op (like CKCIE) allows you to have access to those resources."
"Being a special education teacher is a very hard job, but it's also one of the most rewarding jobs there is on the face of the earth," said Dr. Brooks.
The need of funding at the federal and state levels
CKCIE receives funding at the federal, state and local levels. However, Hayes added they are having 'significant impact' in terms of budgeting for special education resources. He states this is the case due to actions made at the federal and state level.
"Funding for special education is not really keeping up with the expense increases and more of the costs are being transferred to the local districts," said Hayes.
Hayes stated the local school districts are paying for "assessments," which helps pay to be apart of the CKCIE. CKCIE has then had to increase those assessments significantly and continue to anticipate those increases to make up their budget.
One of the challenges local districts have, are needing to transfer funds from their general education budget to help fund for special education needs.
"I have always been shocked that students with disabilities are not recognized and that we leave that to the end on deciding how we are going to fund that," Hayes stated.
Super Sped's growth
Chair, Department of Teacher Education at FHSU, Dr. Chris Jochum said Super Sped has grown since its establishment in August. He added the numbers as far as people enrolling into the program, has increased.
"I don't know if we have done any intentional marketing and yet we are still at great numbers and the numbers speak for themselves," said Dr. Jochum. "It shows there is a need among our students."
With Dr. Brooks' 40 years of experience on teaching special education, she stated special education today is "more accepted" compared to past years. She has taught both high and low incidence students.
"It is definitely a cultural change," said Dr. Brooks when asked why special education is "more accepted." "I think it's the fact that we work to teach our teachers to be more collaborative and to work with their peers, rather than isolate themselves. The law requires that students be educated in the least restrictive environment and to do that, special education teachers have to work with the gen ed teachers to make sure accommodations are given when needed."
How to enroll and who can enroll
Students wishing to enroll into Super Sped at FHSU, do not need a degree of any sort. Students can also transfer in credit hours from other institutions up to and including an Associate's degree.
Super Sped is entirely online and the flexibility of the online format allows FHSU students to meet their existing work and family commitments, while pursuing their degree.
As stated earlier, Super Sped is an undergraduate degree program housed in FHSU's Advanced Education Programs (AEP) Department.
The best way to get more information would be to contact the Department of Advanced Education Programs at Fort Hays State University at 785-628-4283.
Those interested can also contact High-Incidence Special Education Coordinator Dr. Jerrie Brooks via email at [email protected]