Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov OOH Search/A-Z Index BLS Home Get Detailed Statistics ... Find It! In DOL Printer-friendly version ( HTML PDF Nature of the Work Working Conditions ... Sources of Additional Information Significant Points
- Excellent job prospects are expected due to rising enrollments of special education students and reported shortages of qualified teachers.
- A bachelorÂs degree, completion of an approved teacher preparation program, and a license are required to qualify; many States require a masterÂs degree.
- Many States offer alternative licensure programs to attract people into these jobs.
Nature of the Work About this section Back to Top Special education teachers work with children and youths who have a variety of disabilities. A small number of special education teachers work with students with mental retardation or autism, primarily teaching them life skills and basic literacy. However, the majority of special education teachers work with children with mild to moderate disabilities, using the general education curriculum, or modifying it, to meet the childÂs individual needs. Most special education teachers instruct students at the elementary, middle, and secondary school level, although some teachers work with infants and toddlers. The various types of disabilities that qualify individuals for special education programs include specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, visual impairments, autism, combined deafness and blindness, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments. Students are classified under one of the categories, and special education teachers are prepared to work with specific groups. Early identification of a child with special needs is an important part of a special education teacherÂs job. Early intervention is essential in educating children with disabilities. | |
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