Kaskaskia College Expands Special Education for Area Teachers

CENTRALIA, IL - Kaskaskia College (KC) is expanding opportunities for area educators to gain the qualifications needed to teach and support students with disabilities while helping local schools address an ongoing shortage of special education teachers.

KC has been approved to offer coursework toward the Illinois Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) endorsement, providing educators with a local and flexible option to expand their qualifications in special education. The endorsement prepares educators to provide specialized instruction and support for students with disabilities in Illinois schools.

The new coursework grew out of conversations between Kaskaskia College and Regional Offices of Education 3 and 13 about how the college could help address teacher shortages within the region. Both identified special education as a significant area of need.

Statewide data also demonstrates the demand. During the 2024-25 school year, special education positions accounted for approximately one-third of all unfilled teaching positions reported statewide, with rural school districts experiencing particularly significant challenges recruiting and retaining qualified educators.

"These vacancies demonstrate that the need for qualified special education teachers is not simply a statewide concern - it is a need within the communities we serve," said Kellie Henegar, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Kaskaskia College. 'Kaskaskia College has an opportunity to help educators in our region obtain the credentials they need without having to leave their communities or step away from their current careers."

KC is also among a relatively small number of institutions approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to provide LBS I endorsement coursework. Of the 44 institutions currently listed by ISBE, KC is one of only seven community colleges, giving educators in southern Illinois greater access to approved coursework closer to home.

"ROE 3 is thrilled for our educators and schools as Kaskaskia College launches coursework toward the Learning Behavior Specialist I (LBS I) endorsement. This opportunity empowers our local educators to expand their credentials right here at home while directly addressing the critical need for specialized instruction in our classrooms, said Julie Wollerman, Regional Superintendent of Schools for Regional Office of Education #3, serving Bond, Christian, Effingham, Fayette and Montgomery counties.

Kaskaskia College's approved coursework covers key areas educators need when working with students with disabilities, including assessment, characteristics of diverse learners, instructional strategies, inclusive teaching practices, collaboration with families and support teams, and the use of student data to guide instruction.

The online coursework is designed with working educators in mind, creating a more accessible pathway for current teachers, paraprofessionals, and other qualified individuals seeking to expand their professional credentials and serve students with disabilities.

KCs LBS I coursework includes three-credit-hour courses EDUC 215 Assessment of Special Education, EDUC 218 Teaching Diverse Learners, and EDUC 219 Traits/Characteristics of Learners with Disabilities.

Educators can begin as early as this fall. EDUC 219 Traits/Characteristics of Learners with Disabilities begins Oct. 19, 2026, and is offered 100% online. The course explores the characteristics and individual differences of learners with disabilities and strengths-based approaches for supporting learning, development, communication, behavior, and inclusion.

KC will continue offering LBS I coursework in Spring 2027, including EDUC 215, EDUC 218, and EDUC 219. Spring 2027 registration opens Oct. 19.

By offering the coursework locally and online, KC is helping educators advance their qualifications while remaining in the schools and communities they currently serve. At the same time, area school districts gain another resource for developing qualified educators to meet the needs of students in their classrooms.

For more information or to register, contact Kaskaskia College Admissions at 618-545-3040 or kcadmissions@kaskaskia.edu.