Ohio Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Ohio: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Ohio guide.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Ohio
A sample IEP for ADHD PDF is one of the most searched resources among Ohio’s 18,600+ Intervention Specialists — and for good reason. Ohio serves 297,729 students with disabilities in 2024–25, or 14.8% of all students — above the national average. ADHD, classified under Other Health Impairment (OHI), is among the fastest-growing disability categories in the state, making a well-structured sample IEP for ADHD PDF essential for every Ohio educator.
In Ohio, special education teachers are licensed as Intervention Specialists. To earn your license, meet requirements set by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW):
- Earn a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution through a DEW-approved educator preparation program
- Complete a student teaching internship in your endorsement area
- Pass the Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) pedagogy exam for your grade level
- Pass the OAE content exam for your Intervention Specialist endorsement area
- Pass the OAE Foundations of Reading assessment
- Apply through Ohio’s online CORE licensure system
Ohio offers six Intervention Specialist endorsement areas: Early Childhood (PK-3), Visually Impaired (PK-12), Hearing Impaired (PK-12), Mild/Moderate (K-12), Moderate/Intensive (K-12), and Gifted (K-12). Ohio has earned the U.S. Department of Education’s highest rating of “Meets Requirements” for its disability education system across all 615 school districts.
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Continuing Education & License Renewal in Ohio
Ohio Intervention Specialists renew their Professional Educator License every five years by completing 6 semester hours or 18 continuing education units (CEUs), approved through their district’s Local Professional Development Committee (LPDC).
NASET has confirmed district-level LPDC acceptance in Ohio as of March 27, 2026. Submit NASET course information to your LPDC using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014. Renewal applications go through Ohio’s CORE system by October 1 of the expiration year, missing this deadline raises the requirement to 9 semester hours.
For Ohio educators, NASET’s Board Certification in IEP Development (BCIEP) covers ADHD eligibility, OHI classification, and IEP goal writing, transforming any sample IEP for ADHD PDF into an actionable, classroom-ready framework.
Contact careercenter@naset.org for a support letter for your Ohio LPDC, or download the free Admin Approval Guide.
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Ohio
Ohio Intervention Specialists earn competitive special education salaries across the state’s 615 school districts.
- Average statewide salary: ~$57,619–$58,086/year (Glassdoor/ZipRecruiter, 2026)
- Typical range: $47,005–$70,896
- Top earners (90th percentile): up to $85,292
- Highest-paying cities: Euclid (32% above avg), Sylvania, Dayton, Cleveland
Earning potential grows with credentials and board certifications. Ohio’s educator shortage, combined with rising ADHD caseloads — means Intervention Specialists with strong IEP skills are in high demand across all 88 counties.
Explore the State-by-State Guide to compare Ohio with other states.
IEPs in Ohio
Ohio follows all federal IDEA requirements through the DEW Office of Exceptional Children:
- All eligible students must have an IEP developed collaboratively and reviewed annually
- ADHD qualifies under Other Health Impairment (OHI) — Ohio educators must document how it adversely affects educational performance. NASET’s Overview of ADHD covers the full eligibility breakdown
- A complete sample IEP for ADHD PDF includes: present level of performance, measurable annual goals, OHI documentation, accommodations, and behavioral supports
- Transition planning begins at age 16, covering post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
- Ohio requires IEP teams to consider assistive technology for every student with a disability
For a detailed walkthrough, visit NASET’s Sample IEP for ADHD PDF guide. Then browse IEPs from Around the Country and use the Determining Measurable Annual Goals guide for ADHD goal writing.
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Key Resources for Ohio Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- ADHD IEP Guide: Sample IEP for ADHD PDF — What Most Teachers Miss
- ADHD Overview: NASET Overview of ADHD
- DEW Office of Exceptional Children: education.ohio.gov/Topics/Special-Education
- Ohio CORE Licensure System: core.ode.state.oh.us
- Ohio LPDC Information: education.ohio.gov/lpdc
- Other Health Impairments: naset.com/ohi
- NASET Assessment Series: naset.com/assessment
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET is the leading professional organization for disability educators in the U.S. For Ohio Intervention Specialists, membership delivers professional development, publications, job boards, and LPDC-submittable courses, including sample IEP for ADHD PDF resources and ADHD goal-writing tools.
All certifications — including the BCSE, BCASE, and BCIEP — can be submitted to your LPDC with AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014.
Whether you’re earning your Resident Educator License, building your ADHD IEP toolkit, or advancing toward the Senior Professional Educator License, NASET is your partner.
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