tHE Evolution of Special Education's Future

Shannon Estrin

Mr. Murphy

English 51

11 November 2013

The Evolution of Special Education's Future

Beating the odds, is something I learned entering the world. Weighing only one pound, and having a life expectancy rate of 10 percent, overcoming great difficulties; is my theme song. Choosing Special Education as my career of focus has touched close to home. When I was younger, I struggled in my studies and was often discouraged by others. This was a hard pill to swallow.

History of Special Education

Fueled by the Civil Rights Movement, a number of parent organizations were formed, including the United Cerebral Palsy Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and John F. Kennedy's Panel on Mental Retardation. During the 1960's, an increasing level of school access was established for children with disabilities at the state and local levels (Learningrx). Bureau Labor of Statics define special education teachers as those who work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional and physical disabilities. With students who have mild or moderate disabilities, they ensure that lessons and teaching strategies are modified to meet the students’ needs. With students who have severe disabilities, they teach the students independent living skills and basic literacy, communication, and math.

An article by Margie Crutchfields,Who’s Teaching Our Children with Disabilities says that special educators make up about 10% of all teachers in the public sector. In general they tend to be younger than general educators. This is noteworthy because younger teachers are more likely to leave teaching than older teachers. Therefore, this difference in age can be one factor in the higher percentage of special educators who leave special education than general educators who leave the classroom.

Nature of Work Duties/Expectations

Typically, Special Education Teachers work with children during the hours of 8.30am to 3.30pm. They may also work outside these hours to plan classes, prepare resources and reports, attend meetings and usually work in early childhood education centers and classrooms. At times, teachers may have to deal with disruptive students and although not very often; they may be required to travel to visit with students, health professionals and other agencies and may accompany students on field trips and community visits. Villani is an Elementary Special Education Teacher at Della Lindley Elementary School. Email and written notes are methods that Villani uses to communicate effectively with students parents about the needs of their children. It is a simple practice that helps to establish reasonable expectations. In more serious situations, Villani will schedule an IEP; which stands for Individualized Education Program (Villani).

Ethnics of Special Ed.

The ethnic composition of special education and general education teachers is quite similar. Approximately eighty-six percent of the teachers, in both groups, are white (Cruthchfield1). Ten percent are African-American, 2% are Hispanic, and 2% are other. However, these numbers do not match well with the makeup of the students in special education. Among special education students, 68% are white; 16%, African-American; 12%, Hispanic; and 4% other. These discrepancies have led to increased efforts to recruit minorities into special education careers. There are also very few data on the number of special education teachers with disabilities; the best estimate is 4% (Crutchfield2). A male brings the role modeling to the setting as much as a female can. Villani states, “there’s no stigma to male teachers; they bring their experience to the table and with a balance of the females presence to accommodate whatever’s needs that child has in regard to their situation”. There are certain protocols when there is one adult, the balance of the two provide the best environment for the student.

Education Requirements and Skills

The skills and characteristics acquired for a profession in this form of field are simply stated as identifying individual needs and being responsible enough to create a safe, stimulating and supportive learning environment. Succeeding at being proactive and extinguishing behavior prior to its onset is a quality skill to obtain (Villani 1). Special Education Teachers need to have teaching skills, a knowledge of different teaching methods and learning styles. As well as, learn the different disabilities of each student such as learning, physical, and intellectual (person possessing highly developed intellect) needs. According to Villani, three major challenges teachers face in the school systems are paperwork from data collection, discipline protocol, and lack of additional paraprofessionals (Villani 3).

The requirements of becoming a Special Education Teacher vary in public school systems and private school systems teachers are required to have a least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license in the public school. Private schools typically require teachers to have a bachelor’s degree. Teachers in private schools are not required to be licensed or certified, but private schools may prefer to hire teachers who have a license. According to Villani, he chooses his teachers by daily reflection and constant communication with colleagues about the team practices, and by empowering his staff with delegate responsibility.

Occupational Outlook and Similarities

Growth in this occupation will be spurred by several factors. Employment of special education teachers is expected to grow by 17 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of increasing enrollment and continued demand for special education services. Similar occupations are a Therapeutic Support Staff, Classroom Aides, and Physical Therapists.

Salary & Benefits

The median annual wage of special education teachers was $53,220 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,580, and the top 10 percent earned more than $83,410. In addition, to the percentages of the previous years an average of 50K plus extras are the earnings of a Special Education Teacher currently in 2013. As well as, depending on the training and education you have taken upon, the higher your degree is the more revenue increases. If you are willing to put in the extra time (Villani1). The love of the career is more important than any dollar sign on a check.

Growing up at a young age I never knew what my career plans were, I had trouble not trying to follow or imitate the professional athlete I saw on television. Until I got a wakeup call, Christmas break of my Senior Year, my father proposed I attend work with him. My view on life change that day, and I knew what I wanted to do after watching my father, a Physical Education teacher; I knew I wanted a similar challenge, the challenge in making a huge impact on children’s lives with disabilities. Helping a student achieve his/her goal captures my attention any day of the week. Specifically, if there is a certain student who always had trouble talking never said words always made noise and I was able to change that by working with them every day; practicing sounds, noises, and pronouncing words to help them speak brightens my day up helping any student with a disability. In the words of Johni Villani, “I try to choose my battles most of the time because special needs children are usually the ones who are without parental involvement”. For any advice, to an individual pursuing this career make sure your involved in your families’ lives before you take on the responsibility of another child’s life. And make sure you use the dump truck imagery every day, dump all your business work in the trash and take home a fresh slate of responsibility!