TEACHERS, SPECIAL EDUCATION California Occupational Guide Number 110 Interest Area 10 1996
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
Jobseekers 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.
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