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Degrees and Schools
Many colleges and universities offer degrees in special education. Students in special education programs usually work in a classroom under the supervision of a certified teacher. The student teaching part of the program lasts up to a year.
Classes
Students typically study the following subjects:
- Strategies for teaching students with disabilities
- Child growth and development
- Educational psychology
- Learning and behavior disabilities
- Legal issues of special education
- Technology in special education
Online Classes and Programs
Some colleges and universities offer online undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education. Prospective online students should look for schools which have received accreditation from agencies approved by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education.
Employment Requirements
Every state requires special education teachers to be licensed. Criteria for licensure vary by state, however all states require at a minimum, a bachelor's degree along with the completion of an approved training program in special education teaching. Many states require special education teachers to have earned a master's degree in special education which includes training in an area of specialization.
In some states a special education teaching license covers an array of disability categories, whereas some states require separate licenses for teaching each specialty area. To attract special education teaching candidates, some states provide alternative licensing options for individuals who do not qualify under traditional licensing standards.
The major employers of middle school special ed teachers are public secondary schools and private secondary schools.
How to Evaluate Schools and Programs
The answers to the following questions can help students select the appropriate school:
- Training - Does the program include a student teaching component?
- School's Reputation - Is the school recognized for its special education programs? What kind of reputation does the school have with middle schools?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Do representatives of middle schools recruit students at the school?
- Curriculum - What types of electives are available? Can students choose an area of specialization?
- Financial Aid - What types of financial aid are available? Is the school qualified to provide federal financial aid?
- Accreditation - Is the school accredited by an agency which has been approved by the the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education?
Middle School Special Education Teachers Job Description
Middle school special education teachers have the challenging and rewarding opportunity to teach educationally and/or physically handicapped students. Middle school special education teachers modify the curriculum for middle school subjects in order to meet the needs of their students. They create individualized education programs for each special education student.
The majority of middle school special ed teachers help students who have mild to moderate disabilities. Some special ed teachers help students who have more serious disabilities such as mental retardation.
Shown below are some of the responsibilities for these teachers:
- Collaborate with administrators, parents and social workers to create educational plans for special education students
- Create lesson plans
- Provide referrals to community sources which can assist students
- Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to make sure they're adhering to special education requirements
- Develop new strategies to meet the needs of students
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes
Resources
- National Center for Special Education Personnel and Related Service Providers
- The Council for Exceptional Children
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