Special Education Overview

Answer 1

Special Education is a branch of teaching that is rapidly growing and focuses on working with students who have all kinds of disabilities. This program encourages teaching in an inclusive setting, where the disabled student is able to participate in all programs offered to regularly educated students. The Special Education teacher will need to work with parents, teachers, and administrators in order to determine the best course of education for each child on their caseload. The college courses for this occupation will include educational methods, child development and behavior, and a student teaching internship.

All students with an education major will learn the latest teaching methods in order to ensure success in the classroom. These methods include lesson planning and other instructional elements. The Special Education Teaching student will also study different types of learning disabilities and how to write and implement the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for their students. For example, if a student has dyscalculia, a math disability, their IEP could be written on practicing mathematical equations in smaller increments than regular students. The Special Education teaching candidate will also learn about the process of testing and qualifying students with disabilities for the Special Education program. Other classes offered for this program will teach candidates about the behavioral challenges that many special education students will have. These classes on child psychology and behavior will provide an overview of emotional and behavioral disorders that many children possess. One example of a behavioral disorder is attention deficit disorder. Differential strategies on teaching students with all types of disabilities will be stressed in these classes.

The degree program is a four year bachelor’s degree and is offered at most accredited colleges and universities. In addition to classes, a student teaching internship is required in the last semester of college. This internship will allow the student first hand experience in the classroom. Students in this program will work alongside a certified Special Education teacher and practice implementing IEPs for students, lesson planning, and possibly be able to co-teach in the classroom. After the internship is completed candidates will be required to pass a state certification exam at the end of their studies.