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* * * This is NOT a job offer * * * The purpose of this occupational guide is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions. If you are searching for a job, please go to CalJobs (for jobs in California) OR JOBcentral (for jobs nationwide) |
THE JOB
SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS educate students with physical, mental, or
emotional disabilities to help them achieve their fullest potential.
Six specialty areas taught by Special Education Teachers:
Learning handicapped
Communicatively handicapped
Physically handicapped
Severely handicapped
Visually handicapped
Gifted
Special Education Teachers work with pupils at any grade level from
preschool through adult. About half of them teach a group of pupils with
similar disabilities in a classroom setting. They provide all basic
instruction, tailoring subjects, and teaching techniques to each student's
needs and abilities. Classes are relatively small (five to 20 pupils),
and teachers are assisted by aides.
Some Special Education Teachers work with individuals or small groups for
regularly scheduled, short periods of time. They work as team members with
administrators, parents and other staff members to evaluate individual
progress and plan customized lessons. Resource Specialists work with
children individually, consult with classroom teachers, or coordinate
special education programs.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most Special Education Teachers work for public school districts or county
offices of education. Some work for the State of California Special
Schools for the Deaf, Blind, or Neurologically Handicapped. Teachers may
be assigned to a single school or travel from one school to another. On
their own time, they attend continuing education coursework to qualify for
credential renewal.
Most teachers join the California Teachers Association or the American
Federation of Teachers to represent them in negotiations.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
The following information is from the California Projections and Planning
Information report published by the Labor Market Information Division.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 29,220
Estimated number of workers in 2005 45,770
Projected Growth 1993-2005 57%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 7,860
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Special Education Teachers rank among the top fifty largest and fastest
growth occupations in California.
Job gains in this relatively small occupation is expected to be almost
3,500. Schools will need to replace another 3,600 Special Education
Teachers who retire or leave the job market. Shortages exist in some areas
of the State, particularly in Los Angeles and many of the rural counties.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Annual salaries for Special Education Teachers with little or no experience
range from $16,320 to $24,860. Experienced Teachers can earn yearly
salaries of $22,100 to $38,400. Teachers with three years or more
experience earn from $25,785 to $47,520 or even higher depending upon the
school district. Union wages are about $2.00 higher per hour than
prevailing nonunion wages making union wages $2,000 to $4,000 higher than
annual nonunion salaries.
Salaries vary between school districts and generally are based on
experience and college units completed. Some districts pay bonuses for
advanced degrees or extra duty. Teachers get health, vacation, and sick
leave benefits.
Special Education Teachers in public schools work a minimum of six hours a
day in the classroom for a nine month school year. Some districts have
year-round classes where teachers work for 45 days followed by 15 days off
throughout the year. Teachers work many hours in nonteaching functions.
They plan lessons, confer with parents and resource teachers, and
participate in PTA activities. On their own time, they attend continuing
education coursework to qualify for credential renewal.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Teacher Tip! The federal Department of Defense (DOD) sponsors a new Troops to
Teachers placement assistance program for talented military and civilian
workers affected by DOD cutbacks. The primary goal is to help these
dislocated workers get "alternative" certification and placement in schools
with a concentration of students from low income families. Troops to
Teachers provide role models for students and should help reduce teacher
shortages in low income schools. Participants may receive up to $5,000 in
stipends (income). Incentive grants of a maximum of $50,000 over a five
year period may be made to schools that employ participants.
Teach for America (TOA) is a national teacher corps that actively recruits
members on college campuses from all academic majors and cultural
backgrounds. TOA places corps members in a two year teacher residency
program in under-resourced urban and rural schools. School districts hire
corps members as regular salaried full-time teachers who assume full
teaching responsibilities. They begin their professional development
through a pre-service summer institute that provides teaching experience
and exposure to practical application of educational theories.
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing establishes the requirements for
a credential to teach special education in California public schools:
-- BA degree
-- Prerequisite Regular Teaching Credential
-- Special Education Teacher Preparation Program, including Student Teaching
Special Education Teachers can specialize and obtain credentials in
Learning, Severely, Communications, Visually Impaired, and Physically
Handicapped. Special Education training consists of a fifth year of study
after a bachelor's is earned. Credentials are renewed every five years.
Teachers must take 150 hours of continuing education and meet the service
requirement of teaching at least one semester to renew their credential.
In addition to teaching ability, Special Education Teachers need an extra
measure of enthusiasm, optimism, patience, tolerance, and persistence.
ADVANCEMENT
Teachers usually advance through regular salary increases based on
additional education and experience. Some teachers enter administrative
positions that require experience, advanced study, and additional
credentials such as the Administrative Services Credential.
FINDING THE JOB
Job Seekers should register with their college placement offices and apply
directly to county and district offices of education. They should also
apply to the State of California Special Schools for the Deaf, Blind or
Neurologically Handicapped. Most hiring occurs between June and October.
Many new teachers work as Substitute Teachers to gain classroom experience
and district recognition.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Box 944270 (1812 9th Street)
Sacramento, CA 94244-2700
(916) 445-7254 or (916) 445-7256
web site address: http://www.ctc.ca.gov
California Department of Education
Special Education Division
515 L Street, Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 94244-2720
(916) 445-4613
Troops to Teachers
DANTES, CODE 02
6490 Saufley Field Road
Pensacola, FL 32509-5243
(800) 452-6616 or (904) 452-1151
Teach for America
11201-A South La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 348-8490
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Teachers, Elementary School No. 10
Teachers, Secondary School No. 57
Instructors, Community College No. 139
Teachers, Preschool No. 275
Counselors, Rehabilitation and School No. 429
Speech-Language Pathologists
and Audiologists No. 453
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Teacher, Hearing Impaired 094.224-010
Teacher, Physically Impaired 094.224-014
Teacher, Visually Impaired 094.224-018
Teacher, Emotionally Impaired 094.227-010
Teacher, Mentally Impaired 094.227-022
Teacher, Learning Disabled 094.227-030
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Teachers, Special Education 313110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
Note: This is NOT a job opening. The purpose of This California Occupational Guide
is to provide you with useful information to help you make career decisions.
If you are searching for a job, go to:
California Occupational Guides
California Employment Development Department
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