231.174  Alternative preparation programs for certified teachers to add additional coverage.--A district school board may design alternative teacher preparation programs to enable persons already certificated to add an additional coverage to their certificates to teach exceptional education classes or in other areas of critical shortage. Each alternative teacher preparation program shall be reviewed and approved by the Department of Education to assure that persons who complete the program are competent in the necessary areas of subject matter specialization. Two or more school districts may jointly participate in an alternative preparation program for teachers.