Special education teachers are uniquely positioned to help students with special needs reach their full potential. They are responsible for designing and implementing the IEP (individualized education plan) of each student, so they must be experts in the general curriculum and how to adapt it for a wide range of exceptionalities. Special education teachers must also be good communicators and listeners, as they will be working with many different people: not only other teachers, but also parents, administrators, counselors, and other professionals who work together as a team to help children reach their individual goals.
Special education teachers are in high demand. The U.S. Department of Education estimates that the number of special ed teachers is shrinking while enrollment increases. At the same time, a new report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that the number of special education teachers increased by 13% between 2006 and 2016.
The need for special education teachers is especially acute among school districts serving low-income students and those with disabilities, according to the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders at American Institutes for Research (AIR). The AIR report found that in some states, more than 50% of special education teachers leave their jobs each year, with only about one-third returning to teaching within two years.
The number of children in the United States with disabilities receiving special education services has increased by over 50% since 1990. This means that the need for highly-qualified special educators is on the rise, and many current teachers are nearing retirement age.
According to a 2016 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, “the number of students ages 3–21 receiving special education services under IDEA [Individuals with Disabilities Education Act] rose from 4.7 million in 1990–91 to 6.7 million in 2011–12.” These students require extra support and specialized instructional approaches to help them access the same content as their peers without disabilities. In order to provide these supports, schools need highly-trained special education teachers who have the skills to work with students with a wide range of needs – from low-incidence disabilities like blindness or deafness to high-incidence disabilities like specific learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The increasing demand for special educators is further compounded by the fact that many teachers are approaching retirement age. According to a 2014 study by the American Federation of Teachers, “the average age of America’s public school teachers is 55 years old” and “as many as 1 million public school teachers are expected to retire over the next decade.”
Special Education Teachers are needed because of a large number of students with disabilities who will be enrolling in school. This is due to an increase in the number of students who need special services and support. The increased demand for these teachers is also causing a shortage of teachers who are qualified to provide the services that are needed.
This means that there will be a shortage of qualified special education teachers, which means that more students will be enrolled in classes that have special education teachers.
Special education teachers are needed in every state. The demand for special educators is growing rapidly. Individuals who wish to pursue a career in special education should be prepared to take on the challenge of helping individuals with disabilities overcome the numerous challenges they face each day. With the right training, you can make a significant difference in the lives of your students.
Teachers of special education are currently in high demand, especially in rural areas. This is primarily due to a shortage in special education teachers and an increase in the number of children who require specialized instruction. As a result, many school districts have been forced to forego hiring additional staff for their programs.
Many teachers who do have their certifications are not entirely comfortable teaching students with special needs. A 2008 report by the Council for Exceptional Children found that over 60 percent of general education teachers surveyed reported that they did not feel well prepared to teach students with disabilities, while only 15 percent of special educators said they felt unprepared.
This shortage leaves many students without access to the quality education they need and deserves. The shortage of certified special education teachers is a national issue that can be solved by training more qualified individuals to work in this field and providing necessary resources to those already working with students who have special needs.
Special education teachers typically work with students who are in kindergarten through 12th grade. They instruct students individually and in groups, adapting general education lessons to meet each student’s needs. Special education teachers often modify the content of schoolwork to help their students learn material at a pace that is appropriate for them. In some cases, they teach the same subjects as regular classroom teachers but at a slower pace or with simplified material.
Special education teachers develop individualized education programs (IEPs) for each student they work with. These plans list all of the student’s goals and the services they will receive from their teacher and other staff throughout the year. Special education teachers also evaluate their students’ progress, which helps them create IEPs that are more effective as time goes on.