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What is the Demand for Special Education Teachers?
You may have heard that there is a high demand for special education teachers and that the shortage is rapidly reaching critical levels. If so, you have heard right. There is a shortage for teachers in many areas but perhaps none so much as special education. What is the demand for special education teachers? It is hard to pinpoint an exact number but it is in the hundreds of thousands. In fact, the past six years have seen the creation of 10,000 new special education teacher positions each year. As such, this is the ideal time to join this rapidly growing, vibrant field. Jobs are plenty and schools are becoming competitive over the best candidates. If you would like to enter this great career, go back to college and get your career training today.
What is the demand for special education teachers – causes
So why is there suddenly such concern over what is the demand for special education teachers? What is causing this massive shortage? There are many factors that are playing a part in creating this tremendous shortage. First, you can look to educational reform over previous years. Demands for smaller class sizes combined with a growing student population are creating a need for teachers across the spectrum. In addition, an alarming increase in the number of children who have been diagnosed with special needs is growing by the year.
Why is this demand for special education teachers? Another factor that is contributing to the shortage is the exodus of many from this branch of teaching. Some leave the teaching profession altogether. Others suffer burnout and switch to general education classrooms or another position in the educational field. Some teachers have chosen to leave education due to No Child Left Behind and the increasing demands of standardized testing. Add to that the number of teachers who are eligible for retirement, and you can see that the shortage will continue to grow as time passes.
What is the demand for special education teachers – solutions
How are states dealing with this impending special education crisis? Many are developing enticements and incentives to encourage students to major in special education and to lure qualified teachers to their schools. Some programs include student loan forgiveness, scholarships, grants, and sign-on bonuses. Programs such as these are making this an excellent time to enter this field. A highly qualified candidate may find himself or herself wooed by several schools, each trying to outdo the other in incentives. These bonuses and incentives are an added perk to the already great benefits of the job.
When you consider what is the demand for special education teachers along with the tremendous benefits this profession has to offer, this is one of the most attractive career options for anyone interested in working in the educational field. If you are ready to start working in a career that will provide you with immense satisfaction, daily challenge, and a highly comfortable living, start your training to become a special education teacher today.
