Overview of Special Education and Teaching

Special education is an area of instruction developed to accommodate the unique needs of students with disabilities or exceptionalities. Special education teachers work with students who may have physical, mental, or emotional impairments. They tailor their approaches to help these students meet academic, behavioral, and social needs in the classroom and beyond. Special education teachers help students become as independent as possible, while providing daily assistance to help those with more severe impairments. Special education teachers also collaborate with school administrators, counselors, and parents to help meet the needs of special education students.

Career Opportunities Associated with Special Education and Teaching

Career opportunities in special education and teaching range from entry-level to higher-level roles. Special education and teaching covers a wide range of positions, such as special education teachers, intervention specialists, school psychologists, behavior analysts, speech-language pathologists, and school counselors. Special education teachers provide instruction that allows students to learn basic skills and develop a positive attitude toward learning. Intervention specialists provide specialized instruction for students with disabilities, while school psychologists assess and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral issues. Other roles include speech-language pathologists, who assess and treat communication disorders, and school counselors, who provide academic, personal, and social support.

Internship and Co-Op Opportunities Related to Special Education and Teaching

Many universities offer internship and co-op opportunities to gain practical experience within the field of special education and teaching. Internships and co-ops offer unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience in special education classrooms, in schools’ administrative centers, or in government organizations. Additionally, many special education departments have teaching and research assistant positions available. These opportunities provide valuable experiences to gain a better understanding of the field.

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations Within Special Education and Teaching

Special education and teaching covers a wide range of concentrations, depending on the area of instruction. Special education teachers can specialize in teaching students with mild-moderate disabilities, students with severe disabilities, or students with autism. Intervention specialists can specialize in teaching reading, writing, social-emotional learning, or communication skills. Additionally, special education and teaching students may specialize in working with students in early childhood, elementary school, middle school, or high school settings.

How Special Education and Teaching Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

Special education and teaching provides students with a well-rounded and holistic knowledge of the field. It offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the classroom, by way of internships and co-ops. Additionally, it can provide students with the skills and techniques to work with variously disabled students, or to specialize in certain areas of instruction. Through this, students are able to develop their communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for graduate school or further education.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Special Education and Teaching

Artificial intelligence is having a major impact on special education and teaching, both in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, AI is being used to provide individualized learning opportunities and to enhance and assessing skills more quickly and accurately than ever before. AI is also being used to simplify designing of learning systems, automate grading, and provide real-time feedback. Outside of the classroom, AI-powered tools are being used to create personalized learning programs for students with special needs and to monitor students’ performance and progress. AI is becoming increasingly important in special education and teaching, as it is simplifying and streamlining the process of designing and executing effective learning programs.

The Career Outlook for Special Education and Teaching

The job outlook for special education and teaching is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for special education teachers is projected to grow seven percent from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than the average for all jobs. With greater emphasis placed on creating inclusive learning environments and on addressing the needs of students with disabilities, the demand for special education and teaching roles is on the rise. Additionally, with the implementation of Artificial Intelligence to special education and teaching, the job outlook is expected to remain positive for the foreseeable future.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Special Education and Teaching:

Gonzaga University, Salary: $49,990

Kean University, Salary: $49,445

Western Washington University, Salary: $49,253

Syracuse University, Salary: $47,988

Central Washington University, Salary: $47,108

Saint Joseph’s University, Salary: $46,850

SUNY College at Old Westbury, Salary: $46,821

York College of Pennsylvania, Salary: $46,774

Towson University, Salary: $46,717

Boston University, Salary: $46,446

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Special Education and Teaching.