Localize Your School Search
Degrees and Schools
Many colleges and universities provide programs in special education. The programs typically include a student teaching component, where the students work in a classroom under the supervision of a certified teacher. The student teaching portion of the program lasts up to a year.
Classes
Students typically study the following subjects:
- Child growth and development
- Educational psychology
- Strategies for teaching students with disabilities
- Legal issues of special education
- Learning and behavior disabilities
- Technology in special education
Online Classes and Programs
Undergraduate and graduate degrees in special education are available online. 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 least a bachelor's degree and completion of an approved training program in special education teaching. Many states require special education teachers to have a master's degree in special education which includes training in an area of specialization.
In some states, a special education teaching license covers a variety of disability categories, whereas in other states separate licenses are needed for teaching each specialty area. In order to attract special education teaching applicants, some states offer alternative licensing options for those who do not qualify under traditional licensing standards.
The major employers of secondary 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 secondary schools?
- Job Placement - Are students provided job placement services? Do representatives of secondary schools recruit students at the school?
- Curriculum - What type of electives are offered? Can students select 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?
Secondary School Special Education Teachers Job Description
Secondary school special education teachers, also known as high school special education teachers, teach students who are educationally and/or physically handicapped. The majority of secondary school special education teachers work with students who have mild to moderate disabilities. Some special education teachers work with students who have more serious disabilities such as mental retardation.
Secondary school special ed teachers alter the curriculum for secondary school subjects as required to meet the needs of students. They develop individualized education programs for every special education student. They also create transition plans to prepare students for postsecondary study or for jobs.
Shown below are some of the responsibilities of secondary school special ed teachers:
- Develop lesson plans
- Meet with parents to review the individualized education program
- Provide referrals to community sources which may assist students
- Develop new strategies to meet the needs of students
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes
- Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure they're adhering to special education requirements
Resources
- The Council for Exceptional Children
- National Center for Special Education Personnel and Related Service Providers
Career Profiles
Job Title: Sped EA III
Attended: University Of Oregon • Eugene, OR
Studied Education (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"I get to work with some of the most interesting kids you will ever meet. I am also able to make a huge impact in the lives of those who are normally over looked."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The University of Oregon has one of the largest and most sought after education departments. However, there was no major for special educators, only minors. Therefore I must finish my degree at another university and return to the university for my masters. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | I have gotten promoted twice already and have only been in the school district for 2 years. Along with this I have gotten the opportunity to work with world famous special ed specialists on multiple occasions. |
| Job Security | 10 | Special educators are few and far between, thus they are in high demand. I am also good at what I do and have had great opportunities and successes. Therefore, I am sought after within the profession. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | If you are looking to get rich, teaching is not the job for you! However, I have received a raise 2 times in the last 2 years. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Each and every day comes with a new set of ever changing attitudes. Controlling the classroom and teaching is always a chore with outbursts, emotions, and refusals to work. Adding stressed parents and co-workers makes for quite a stressful job at times. |
| Task Variety | 6 | Consistency is a must! However, when working with special needs people there is always new needs, demands, and variations of what needs to be done. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | There is no teaching job that is glamourous, and special ed is even less so. However, on the other hand, the kids are some of the coolest people you will ever meet. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | I have the ability to find work in a large number of schools, throughout multiple districts. However, working with special needs high-schoolers does not allow for much flexibility. The students do not take change well. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Within my job I've been able to network quite well and gained many wonderful friends who make up a great support team. Communication between co-workers, parents, and such is an everyday routine that has a constant flow. |
Job Title: Special Education Resource Teacher
Attended: Southeastern Louisiana University • Hammond, LA
Studied Special Education (completion in 1999)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"I've established good relationships at my current school. The school district I work in really supports their teachers."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | Overall, I believe the program was good, however, it was only the last 2 semesters that I felt really benefited me in preparing me for my current job. Most of what I needed to know was learned during my first year or so on the job. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I do believe there are opportunities for promotion, but maybe not equal opportunities. This district is one of the more "political" districts, so who you know plays a big part in promotions. |
| Job Security | 10 | Overall, my district has not had to make personnel cuts. There are still special ed positions that are not being filled by qualified teachers. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | I'm a teacher, you don't do it for the money. Given the vacation time, and other benefits, I'm satisfied, but no big raises anytime soon... |
| How Stressful | 7 | As far as teaching the students, my job is not that stressful. Add in everything else... the amount of paperwork, and the ever changing district policies, it can get pretty stressful at times. |
| Task Variety | 5 | This district has a pretty set curriculum, so there is very little variation in day-to-day tasks. My students appreciate the structure and routine. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | My rating reflects how others perceive this job...not very cool...no excitement, glamor, or prestige. When I see the difference, or the impact I make in the life of a student, I would say that it's pretty cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | Overall, teaching is very structured, and there is little flexibility in the schedule. However, the availability of this job is pretty good anywhere I would go. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Especially as a SPED teacher, I am always interacting with other faculty on a professional level. I'm also interacting with my students. |
Online Course Finder
Find the path to your
education in 3 easy steps.
