Education:
47%
Master's Degree
41%
Bachelor's Degree
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
This is a sub-career of
Special Education Teacher
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Job Outlook:
Little or no change
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Salary
High:
$100,560.00
Average:
$69,530.00
What they do:
Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
On the job, you would:
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
- Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Important Qualities
Communication skills. Special education teachers need to explain concepts in terms that students with learning disabilities can understand. They also must write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and share students’ progress with general education teachers, counselors and other specialists, administrators, and parents.
Critical-thinking skills. Special education teachers must be able to assess students’ progress and use the information to adapt lessons.
Interpersonal skills. Special education teachers work regularly with a team of educators and the student’s parents to develop IEPs. As a result, they need to be able to build positive working relationships.
Patience. Special education teachers must be able to stay calm instructing students with disabilities, who may lack basic skills, present behavioral or other challenges, or require repeated efforts to understand material.
Resourcefulness. Special education teachers must develop different ways to present information that meet their students’ needs. They also help general education teachers adapt their lessons to the needs of students with disabilities.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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97% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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96% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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96% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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96% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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95% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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94% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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93% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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92% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
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92% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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92% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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90% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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90% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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87% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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83% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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80% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. | |
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79% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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100% | Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. | |
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67% | Artistic - Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
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89% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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72% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
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67% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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61% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
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78% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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75% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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72% | Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). | |
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72% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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72% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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72% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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72% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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72% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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66% | Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. | |
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66% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Design psychological or educational treatment procedures or programs.
Develop educational programs.
Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
Assist students with special educational needs.
Establish rules or policies governing student behavior.
Maintain student records.
Prepare reports detailing student activities or performance.
Set up classroom materials or equipment.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Teach life skills.
Modify teaching methods or materials to accommodate student needs.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Discuss problems or issues with supervisors.
Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
Apply multiple teaching methods.
Develop strategies or programs for students with special needs.
Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Prepare tests.
Evaluate student work.
Advise students on academic or career matters.
Monitor student performance.
Monitor student behavior, social development, or health.
Evaluate student work.
Develop instructional objectives.
Teach life skills.
Plan educational activities.
Plan educational activities.
Document lesson plans.
Direct activities of subordinates.
Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Develop instructional objectives.
Discuss student progress with parents or guardians.
Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
Evaluate performance of educational staff.
Supervise student research or internship work.
Monitor student performance.
Teach others to use technology or equipment.
Display student work.
Create technology-based learning materials.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Plan educational activities.
Supervise school or student activities.
Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
Plan experiential learning activities.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Distribute instructional or library materials.
Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
Teach life skills.
Assist students with special educational needs.
Teach vocational courses.
Tutor students who need extra assistance.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
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98% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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95% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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95% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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95% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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86% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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84% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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84% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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83% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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81% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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79% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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78% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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77% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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75% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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75% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
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75% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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74% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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73% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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72% | Public Speaking - How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? | |
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67% | Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing? | |
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66% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
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76% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
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84% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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80% | Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. | |
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80% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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79% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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79% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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78% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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77% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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77% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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77% | Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. | |
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77% | Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts. | |
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76% | Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. | |
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76% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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75% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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75% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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73% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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72% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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70% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. | |
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69% | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. | |
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68% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
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67% | Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. | |
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67% | Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. | |
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66% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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65% | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. |
What Special Education Teachers Do
Special education teachers may teach students in small groups or on a one-on-one basis.
Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.
Duties
Special education teachers typically do the following:
- Assess students’ skills and determine their educational needs
- Adapt general lessons to meet students’ needs
- Develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student
- Plan activities that are specific to each student’s abilities
- Teach and mentor students as a class, in small groups, and one-on-one
- Implement IEPs, assess students’ performance, and track their progress
- Update IEPs throughout the school year to reflect students’ progress and goals
- Discuss students’ progress with parents, other teachers, counselors, and administrators
- Supervise and mentor teacher assistants who work with students with disabilities
- Prepare and help students transition from grade to grade and from school to life outside of school
Special education teachers work with students from preschool to high school. They instruct students who have mental, emotional, physical, or learning disabilities. For example, some help students develop study skills, such as highlighting text and using flashcards. Others work with students who have physical disabilities and may use a wheelchair or other adaptive devices. Still others work with students who have sensory disabilities, such as visual or hearing impairments. They also may work with those who have autism spectrum disorders or emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Special education teachers work with general education teachers, specialists, administrators, and parents to develop IEPs. Students’ IEPs outline their goals, including academic or behavioral milestones, and services they are to receive, such as speech therapy. Educators and parents also meet to discuss updates and changes to IEPs.
Special education teachers must be comfortable using and learning new technology. Most use computers to keep records of their students’ performance, prepare lesson plans, and update IEPs. Some teachers also use assistive technology aids, such as Braille writers and computer software, that help them communicate with their students.
Special education teachers’ duties vary by their work setting, students’ disabilities, and specialties.
Some special education teachers work in classrooms or resource centers that include only students with disabilities. In these settings, teachers plan, adapt, and present lessons to meet each student’s needs. They teach students individually or in small groups.
In inclusive classrooms, special education teachers instruct students with disabilities who are in general education classrooms. They work with general education teachers to adapt lessons so that students with disabilities can more easily understand them.
Some special education teachers work with students who have moderate to severe disabilities. These teachers help students, who may be eligible for services until age 21, develop basic life skills. Some teach the skills necessary for students with moderate disabilities to live independently, find a job, and manage money and their time. For more information about other workers who help individuals with disabilities develop skills necessary to live independently, see the profiles on occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants and aides.
Work Environment
Special education teachers held about 498,400 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up special education teachers was distributed as follows:
| Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school | 194,700 |
| Special education teachers, secondary school | 153,200 |
| Special education teachers, middle school | 82,800 |
| Special education teachers, all other | 43,900 |
| Special education teachers, preschool | 23,800 |
The largest employers of special education teachers were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 85% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 8 |
A small number of special education teachers work with students in residential facilities, hospitals, and the students’ homes. They may travel to these locations. Some teachers work with infants and toddlers at the child’s home. They teach the child’s parents ways to help the child develop skills.
Helping students with disabilities may be rewarding. It also can be stressful, emotionally demanding, and physically draining.
Work Schedules
Special education teachers typically work during school hours. In addition to providing instruction during this time, they grade papers, update students’ records, and prepare lessons. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers or specialists before and after classes.
Many work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break. Some teachers work in summer programs.
Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 9 weeks in a row and then are on break for 3 weeks.
Getting Started
How to Become a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers need to be able to explain concepts in terms students with learning disabilities can understand.
Special education teachers in public schools are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license. Private schools typically require teachers to have a bachelor’s degree, but the teachers are not required to be licensed or certified.
Education
All states require special education teachers in public schools to have at least a bachelor's degree. Some require teachers to earn a degree specifically in special education. Others allow them to major in education or a content area, such as mathematics or science, and pursue a minor in special education.
In a program leading to a bachelor’s degree in special education, prospective teachers learn about the different types of disabilities and how to present information so that students will understand. Programs typically include a student-teaching program, in which prospective teachers work with a mentor and get experience instructing students in a classroom setting. To become fully certified, states may require special education teachers to complete a master’s degree in special education after obtaining a job.
Private schools typically require teachers to have at least a bachelor’s degree in special education.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All states require teachers in public schools to be licensed in the specific grade level that they teach. A license frequently is referred to as a certification. Those who teach in private schools typically do not need to be licensed.
Requirements for certification or licensure can vary by state but generally involve the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average
- Completion of a student-teaching program
- Passing a background check
- Passing a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates knowledge of the subject the candidate will teach
For information about teacher preparation programs and certification requirements, visit Teach.org or contact your state’s board of education.
All states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for people who already have a bachelor’s degree. These alternative programs cover teaching methods and child development. Candidates are awarded full certification after they complete the program. Other alternative programs require prospective teachers to take classes in education before they can start to teach. Teachers may be awarded a master’s degree after completing either type of program.
Advancement
Experienced teachers may advance to become mentors who help less experienced teachers improve their instructional skills. They also may become lead teachers.
Teachers may become school counselors, instructional coordinators, and elementary, middle, and high school principals. These positions generally require additional education, an advanced degree, or certification. An advanced degree in education administration or leadership may be helpful.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
Despite limited employment growth, about 33,500 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Demand for special education teachers will be driven by school enrollments and the need for special education services.
These teachers and services will continue to be needed as children with disabilities are identified earlier and are enrolled into special education programs.
Federal law requires that every state maintain the same level of financial support for special education every year. However, employment growth of special education teachers may depend on funding availability.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about special education teachers, visit
Council for Exceptional Children
National Association of Special Education Teachers
For more information about teaching and becoming a teacher, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of special education teachers.
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|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Career and Technical Education Teachers |
Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. |
Bachelor's degree | $61,450 |
|
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High school diploma or equivalent | $28,520 |
|
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Master's degree | $101,320 |
|
High School Teachers |
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Bachelor's degree | $62,360 |
|
Instructional Coordinators |
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Master's degree | $66,490 |
|
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers |
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Bachelor's degree | $61,620 |
|
Middle School Teachers |
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|
Occupational Therapists |
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|
Preschool Teachers |
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Associate's degree | $35,330 |
|
Recreational Therapists |
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Bachelor's degree | $51,330 |
|
Social Workers |
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|
Teacher Assistants |
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