Education For Success
Continuing Education Article
Continuing Education For Special Education Teachers
Kyle BesserSpecial education is specially designed instruction to meet the educational, social, emotional and vocational needs of students with disabilities. The students who receive special education instruction and related services vary greatly in their needs. Like all children, they differ from one another in ability, age, learning style and personality. Students with disabilities come from all cultural backgrounds. They have unique learning needs based on their disabilities that may require a number of special education and related services, such as specially designed instruction, adapted materials, speech-language therapy and physical education.
To teach special education, teachers must be certified in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Certification differs according to state and is typically awarded by a certification advisory committee or a state board. In many states, special education teachers must obtain certification to teach general education, kindergarten through grade 12. A specific certification in general special education is offered in some states, while other certifications acknowledge varying specialties within special education. Some states even require teachers to obtain a general education certification and then another certification in special education.
A bachelor's degree is required in all states. A master’s degree in special education is required in many states. There are reciprocity agreements in a few states which allow special education teachers to transfer their certification from one state to another, but the teacher must still complete certification requirements of the state in which they are practicing.
Many programs in special education are offered at universities and colleges throughout the United States at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree level. Most undergraduate programs last four years and include both general and specialized special education courses. These courses are designed to educate students in areas such as child growth and development, special education policies and legalities and educational psychology. A student must specialize in an area of special education in some programs, while others may study many specialized areas to earn a general special education degree.
In response to the demand for special education teachers to fill vacant positions, many states award emergency and alternative certification. This certification allows college graduates and those changing careers into teaching make a faster transition. Requirements vary from state to state, but they may be less rigorous for alternative certification compared to regular certification. Those who begin teaching with provisional certification in some programs can earn regular certification in 1 to 2 years by taking education courses and teaching under the supervision of certified teachers. States offer emergency certification when they have a shortage of certified special education teachers and are unable to fill the positions.
Advanced degrees qualify teachers to instruct at colleges and universities in special education programs. Veteran teachers in some school systems can act as mentors to less experienced teachers, offering assistance and support to those teaches while teaching a lighter load themselves.
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