Special Education Certification
Recognize your institution’s commitment to providing comprehensive, individualized education to students with special educational needs.
Create a school culture where all students can thrive
Providing effective education should always include support, respect, and consideration for all learners, especially those with unique learning profiles. Cognia Special Education Certification reflects educational institutions’ commitment to elevating the quality of special education services, translating inclusive values into consistent actions across the entire school community. Completing the certification process has a substantial impact on the school community: improved student engagement and well-being, stronger staff collaboration, and increased trust from families.
Our research-based standards for effective special education services and programs empower schools to:
- Demonstrate commitment to providing high-quality special education through policy, resource allocation, communication, and effective program implementation
- Leverage research-based interventions and supports to create environments where all learners can thrive
- Cultivate meaningful partnerships with families, community stakeholders, and external organizations to support students
Start your special education certification journey
Cognia Special Education Certification is available to any accredited Cognia Member institution that is committed to serving students with unique learning needs and is interested in engaging in an external review process.
Expert evaluators, including specialists in special education practices, will guide the certification process as they look for hallmarks of quality as described in the Cognia Special Education Certification Standards.
The standards were developed through a collaboration among Cognia, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This unified set of standards will recognize schools that demonstrate high levels of quality in special education services, ensuring that families have access to programs that meet the needs of all learners.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Cognia Accreditation and Cognia Special Education Certification?
The Cognia Accreditation process evaluates an institution’s overall ability to provide high-quality education and commit to ongoing improvement. Cognia Special Education Certification evaluates how well a school delivers a holistic and inclusive program to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Can my institution earn Cognia Accreditation and Cognia Special Education Certification at the same time?
New members seeking both certification and accreditation will undergo simultaneous review. The institution will be due for reaccreditation and recertification at least every six years.
Cognia Accredited institutions can seek initial special education certification outside of the accreditation term by hosting an “off cycle” certification review. Once initially certified, the special education certification and accreditation terms will align.
What does the Cognia Special Education Certification process entail?
Institutions that engage in the certification process will undergo an external review, benchmarked against the nine certification standards, led by expert evaluators. Institutions will provide evidence of the effectiveness of their special education programs, demonstrating a commitment to belonging and inclusion, accessible learning environments, collaboration with families and community partners, appropriate resourcing and support for staff, evidence-based practices, and more. The results of the external review will be presented before the Cognia Global Commission, and institutions that meet the standards will be granted certification and may display the Cognia Special Education Certification seal to reflect their commitment to high-quality special education.