Special Education

Special Education at Wheaton College

The Wheaton College Department of Education provides a unique opportunity for future educators interested in pursuing God’s heart for people with disabilities and serving as His hands and feet in schools across the globe. In Illinois, the special education endorsement is called Learning Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) and our program is designed to equip educators to effectively serve students with exceptional needs guided by a biblical worldview. 

"Our desire is to empower our future teachers with the knowledge and resources of best practices to help them reach and inspire all students whether in a specialized or general education setting." - Thomas Boehm, Ann Haskins Associate Professor of Special Education, Wheaton College.

Learning and Behavior Specialist 1 (LBS1) Endorsement

• Added to your Professional Educator’s License
• Offers extra training in serving students with disabilities
• Includes four content areas (18 credit hours) with hands-on training in local schools
• Issued upon licensure/graduation

We are committed to seamless integration between special education (SPED) and general education (GenEd) to prepare all teachers to serve all students. All education students, undergraduate and graduate, are encouraged to pursue an LBS1 endorsement in special education. Whether your hope is to become a special education teacher or you simply want to expand your skillset to better serve all students in your traditional classroom, this program will give you the experience and enhanced credentials you need. This program is especially designed for: 

• Special education teachers
• General education teachers
• Future administrators and leaders in education

Courses and Recommended Sequence

Please see our required courses and the LBS1 Course Sequence Guide to earn the special education endorsement. Please note the courses highlighted in bold type are required and offered  at the times listed. Your advisor can assist you in exploring possible modifications to fit these requirements into your schedule.

Licensure Test

All individuals licensed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are required to complete licensure tests specific to their teaching license. Student seeking an LBS1 Endorsement must also complete the LBS1 #290 Content Area Test which assesses knowledge of working with students with disabilities and special needs.

LBS1 Test Helps

The following resources are available to help you prepare for the LBS1 #290 Content Area Test.

• LBS1 #290 Content Area Test preparation materials provided by the Illinois Licensure Testing System. Offers a study guide, tutorials, test prep worksheets, a free 20 question practice test, and a full length practice test available for purchase.
• Quizlet Flashcards: Teacher-created study sets and content.
• Practice Test, outline, and description of the LBS1 Content Area Test provided by Mometrix. (10 free questions, additional resources available for purchase)