Special Education
Special Education
www.ed.psu.edu/educ/epcse/special-education
(Curriculum Checksheets and "Sample" Semester Plans)
(View Special Education in the University Bulletin)
One of the teaching areas in highest demand throughout the country, Special Education (SPLED) teachers may work with children, adolescents, or adults with developmental delays, learning disabilities, severe emotional disturbance, physical disabilities, or multiple disabilities. Most graduates work initially in public school-related programs where they plan and develop instructional programs, construct and use evaluative tools, and keep accurate records.
Teachers serve students who, by law, participate in general education programs to the maximum possible degree. Thus, special education teachers must coordinate their efforts into a larger education program and work collaboratively with general education teachers, school psychologists, and others. In addition, they are expected to cooperate with community agencies, parent groups, and organizations concerned with the welfare of individuals with special needs.
Effective 2013, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) requires educators teaching students with special needs in PA to hold two certification areas (e.g. SPLED plus another certificate). The primary area of academic need for students with disabilities is in the area of reading, so PDE has included certification as a Reading Specialist (along with completion of a SPLED certificate) to qualify educators to teach special education in Pre-Kindergarten through high school and across exceptionalities. The undergraduate degree in SPLED typically requires eight semesters of coursework combined with a series of related field experiences. Additional in-depth study of reading and literacy at the graduate level also would be highly valuable to SPLED majors and the learners they teach by providing additional skills, as well as PK – 12 certification in the high demand areas of SPLED and Reading. To earn a Reading Specialist certificate typically requires a post-baccalaureate year of studies including summers. To reduce the cost of pursuing these dual certificates at Penn State, the faculty in the SPLED program and those in the Reading Specialist program collaborated to develop an integrated undergraduate –graduate program (IUG) as a means to obtain the dual certification. An IUG offers the advantage of earning two certifications at a reduced financial and temporal cost that may provide some relief to students while enhancing their overall professional skills. The Integrated Undergraduate - Graduate program (IUG) in Special Education and Language and Literacy Education (LL ED) leading to certification as a Reading Specialist is designed to enable qualified undergraduates enrolled in the SPLED program to graduate in five years with a B.S. in Special Education and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction (LL ED) with dual certification in SPLED and Reading.
PA is one of a few states currently requiring dual certification, so some current SPLED majors elect to stop at the BS in SPLED because they intend to teach elsewhere. Some current students complete the BS and then elect to pursue a second certification area in elementary or secondary education, but not as an IUG.
To summarize, the benefits of the IUG in SPLED and Reading are:
- (1) Permits coherent planning of an in-depth study of the teaching of reading through a graduate program emphasizing the teaching of Reading
- (2) Results in two PA teaching certificates plus an M.Ed
- (3) Allows cost savings for students challenged to cover rising tuition rates (students in an IUG pay lower undergraduate instead of graduate tuition)
- (4) Encourages earlier contact with additional faculty outside of Special Education
Most states typically require a fifth year of study or qualification for a master's degree within a certain period of time following the teacher's initial employment. Many school employers also assist teachers with tuition expenses for further professional development experiences and continuing education. Further advanced preparation and specialization (e.g. -- additional course work and practica related to teaching preschool children or individuals with severe disabilities) typically is available at the master's level. Most supervisory and administrative positions also require an advanced degree.
Individuals who want to be special education teachers must be capable, flexible, creative, and well-organized. Their students require individualized attention and instruction because of their varying rates and requirements for learning. Some students with disabilities may present behavior challenges in addition to learning difficulties, so the teacher must be able to design and implement both effective instructional programs and appropriate behavior change systems.
The undergraduate major is intended to provide students entry-level skills that allow them to teach students with special needs in a variety of settings. The SPLED major offers students several opportunities to obtain practical experience with special needs students during preparation. The first experience, usually in the junior year, requires systematic observation in multiple settings including students with a variety of exceptionalities. The second and third experiences are pre-practica scheduled in the same semesters as professional methods courses. Finally, each student enrolls in a full-time, 15-week student teaching experience for which the student earns 15 credits. (usually in Altoona, PA)
At the present time, there is a favorable employment picture in the field of special education. This open job market is expected to continue for several more years. Graduates with strong academic backgrounds, enthusiasm, and a commitment to teaching have been more successful in the job market than is commonly believed. As school systems continue to seek top quality teachers, graduates with good job-seeking strategies should benefit from the reputation of Penn State's Special Education programs.
In addition to public school teaching, graduates of this major may find employment in state schools, hospitals, clinics, or centers that deal with individuals with special needs. Graduates may be employed as early intervention specialists working with very young children or as transition specialists working with students as they enter the world of work.
The Special Education Minor provides undergraduate students with coursework on instructional practices to support the achievement of students with special education needs. It includes 12 credits of coursework offered by the Special Education program, as well as 6 credits of "disability related" coursework provided by other programs (e.g., Communication Science and Disorders, Rehabilitation Services) at Penn State.
Students interested in the Special Education minor should email Dr. David McNaughton at dbm2@psu.edu for current information on coursework and scheduling options or visit our website: http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/epcse/special-education.
