According to the UNICEF report, nearly 240 million individuals across the world have been receiving special education. The ultimate aim of special education is to help children with unique needs and challenges learn and navigate daily life more easily. If you are interested in becoming a special education teacher or if you would like to know about the college degrees in special education, then read this blog. For your understanding, here we have presented comprehensive information about special education learning programs, their eligibility, objectives, and the roles and responsibilities of a special education instructor.
What is a Special Education Learning Program?
A special education learning program is a course typically designed to help students with physical or cognitive challenges learn and grow. Particularly, to increase the quality of life of kids with special needs, several learning centers have been established across the globe. Generally, when classrooms cater to their unique needs, students with autism, ADHD, or other challenges will show significant progress. Moreover, with proper care and support, students with disabilities can achieve great improvements over time. As special education offers promising career prospects, many people wish to pursue a degree in special education alongside their regular studies.
Various Types of Special Education
Special education is a training program that helps students with physical or learning disabilities. It helps the children function better in school, at home, and in daily life. To qualify for special education, students must have a disability that affects their learning and needs extra support. Some eligible disabilities to apply for special education include:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Developmental delay
- Hearing impairments (including deafness)
- Intellectual disability
- Orthopedic impairments
- Emotional disturbance
- Speech or language impairments
- Visual impairments (including blindness)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Specific learning disabilities (fetal alcohol syndrome, impulse control disorder, down syndrome, etc.)
- Other health impairments
As an educator, you can guide and support students with customized exercises to help them overcome daily challenges. Furthermore, to effectively teach special-skilled children, you must have a deep understanding of both theory and practical approaches that go beyond the curriculum.
Primary Objectives of Special Education Learning Programs
The goal of special education is to help people with special needs live better lives. This is achieved by enabling them to complete daily tasks and achieve a basic level of education. Here are some key roles of special education courses
- It helps kids become more confident and independent. Therefore, they can then face their challenges with courage.
- Special education tailors learning to fit each student’s individual needs and abilities. It is like creating a custom fit for every student.
- Special education helps all students succeed, no matter what challenges they face. Furthermore, it makes learning enjoyable for everyone.
- Specifically, kids with special needs will enjoy learning, making friends, and using fun resources in school. This will bring them happiness and joy.
List of Degree Programs in Special Education
These are some popular special education courses
- B.A. in Special Education
- B.S. in Special Education
- BA in Special Needs Education
- B.Ed. in Special Education
- Master’s in Special Education
- Master of Education in Special Education
Some notable online special education certification courses you can take are
- Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist
- Education Specialist in Special Education
- Education Specialist: Collaborative Special Education 6-12
- Special Education Endorsement
Besides all these, certain online learning platforms like Legacy Online School, Udemy, Coursera, 360Training, LinkedIn Learning, etc, also offer certification courses in special education.
Eligibility to Become a Special Education Instructor
Anyone can become a special educator with the right training. Particularly, to become a special education teacher, you don’t need a specific background. More commonly, people from various fields like math, accounting, and management get certified and start helping students with special needs. If you wish to become a special education instructor, then first obtain an appropriate degree in special education.
Responsibilities of a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers usually help children with special needs of all ages. Moreover, they work with other teachers, parents, and school staff to create personalized learning plans and provide individual care. As a special education teacher, you need to perform these duties
- Assess students’ strengths and needs
- Plan customized activities
- Teach students individually or in groups
- Update learning plans to track progress
- Meet parents and other educators or counselors to discuss student progress
Skills Required for a Special Education Instructor
To be a good special education teacher, you need certain qualities. These include
- Communication skills (both verbal and non-verbal)
- Critical thinking and analytical abilities
- Problem-solving skills
- Creativity
- High patience and empathy
Get to Know How to Become a Special Education Teacher
Generally, the requirements to become a special education teacher will vary by country. Here, let us look at the key steps to become a special education teacher
Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree
At first, you should complete a degree program with clinical teaching experience and meet the other requirements. Additionally, you should study special education laws, learn how to adapt curricula, and create suitable learning settings for students.
Finish a teacher training program
After getting a bachelor’s degree, you should complete your teacher training program. The program will help you gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to become a successful special educator. Furthermore, it will teach you how to plan and take classes, create a supportive learning environment, and manage challenging student behaviors.
Earn extra certifications
Next, you should obtain additional certifications in special education. In the USA, you need to take the Professional Teaching Knowledge (PTK) exam and pass the American Board of Elementary Education and Special Education exams to get certified. Passing these tests will help you earn an ABCTE certification in Special Education.
Get hands-on teaching experience
As a part of your undergraduate special education program, you must complete a 16-week student teaching internship. During this period, you will get a chance to work under the guidance of an experienced special education teacher. This hands-on experience will help you gain practical skills and confidence in teaching students with special needs.
Receive a teaching license
Following that, you need to get a teaching license to work with children with special needs. Depending on your country, you might get a general license or a specialized one. By using that license, you can work with students who have special needs.
Consider pursuing a master’s degree
You can pursue a master’s degree to boost your career prospects in special education. By doing so, you will gain deeper knowledge about supporting students with special needs. With a master’s degree, you can also advance your career special education.
Wrapping Up
Special education can be tough, but it will be incredibly rewarding. As a special educator, you can help students believe in themselves and achieve their goals. If you love teaching and value diversity, then this career path can be a great fit. Your care and understanding will truly change students’ lives. But to start your career in this field, you must first complete a degree in special education. Usually, to obtain a graduation, you must have to work on different assignments and projects related to your special education learning program. If it is challenging for you to do your academic tasks, you may approach our experts for high-quality special education assignment help online for an affordable price.
