Summary Report for:
25-2052.00 - Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Teach elementary school subjects to educationally and physically handicapped students. Includes teachers who specialize and work with audibly and visually handicapped students and those who teach basic academic and life processes skills to the mentally impaired.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to kindergarten or elementary students with special needs.
- Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise kindergarten or elementary school programs.
- Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual education plans (IEPs).
- Confer with parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, or administrators to resolve students' behavioral or academic problems.
- Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
- Develop individual educational plans (IEPs) designed to promote students' educational, physical, or social development.
- Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
- Employ special educational strategies or techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, or memory.
- Encourage students to explore learning opportunities or persevere with challenging tasks to prepare them for later grades.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Adaptive communication switches for the physically challenged — Jellybean switches; Sound switches |
| Braille devices for the physically challenged — Braille label makers; Braille note-taking systems; Braille rulers; Braille writers |
| Calculators or accessories — Large display calculators; Talking calculators |
| Computer mouse or trackballs — Eye controlled computer mouse equipment; Foot operated computer mouse equipment; Trackballs |
| Scanners — Computer data input scanners; Computer voice input devices; Reading pens |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Computer based training software — Children's educational software; Scientific Learning Fast ForWord |
| Data base user interface and query software — American Sign Language Browser *; Individualized Educational Program IEP software |
| Device drivers or system software — Screen magnification software; Screen reader software; Synapse outSPOKEN; The vOICe Learning Edition * |
| Electronic mail software — Email software; Microsoft Outlook |
| Voice recognition software — goQ WordQ; Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking software; Voice activated software |
* Software developed by a government agency and/or distributed as freeware or shareware.
Work Values
| Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
| Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Employment data collected from Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School.
Industry data collected from Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School.
| Median wages (2012) | $53,820 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 223,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Faster than average (20% to 28%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 113,300 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
Find Jobs
for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
State & National Job Banks
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Special Education Teachers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition.
