Understanding the Special Education Teacher as a General Education Teacher
Advisor Information
Jessica Hagaman
Location
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
6-3-2015 11:00 AM
End Date
6-3-2015 12:30 PM
Abstract
New special education teachers are leaving the field at rapid rates. The attrition rate of special education teachers sits around 50% - especially within the first 5 years. In other words, roughly 50% of new special education teachers will leave the field within their first few years of teaching. With extensive paperwork, heavy caseloads of students, and other high expectations from general education teachers or administration, special educators are being spread very thin. Studies on special educator “burn-out” have been conducted; however we are still seeking solutions on what can be done to lower this attrition rate. With special educators being needed more than ever because of increasing rates of students needing special education services in our K-12 schools, it is becoming more important to uncover an answer. Through the research I am conducting with Dr. Jessica Hagaman, I have been able to gain more insight as a pre-service general education teacher into the difficulties new special educators are having through focus groups with teachers from various school districts in surrounding areas. By discussing with new special educators and administration, we hope to find the supports we can give pre-service and current special educators to decrease the attrition rate in this profession. As a pre-service teacher this opportunity has given me a new perspective on how a general educator should look at the responsibilities of a special educator. We must collaborate and do our own part in the process, giving so much respect to the work they do.
Understanding the Special Education Teacher as a General Education Teacher
Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library
New special education teachers are leaving the field at rapid rates. The attrition rate of special education teachers sits around 50% - especially within the first 5 years. In other words, roughly 50% of new special education teachers will leave the field within their first few years of teaching. With extensive paperwork, heavy caseloads of students, and other high expectations from general education teachers or administration, special educators are being spread very thin. Studies on special educator “burn-out” have been conducted; however we are still seeking solutions on what can be done to lower this attrition rate. With special educators being needed more than ever because of increasing rates of students needing special education services in our K-12 schools, it is becoming more important to uncover an answer. Through the research I am conducting with Dr. Jessica Hagaman, I have been able to gain more insight as a pre-service general education teacher into the difficulties new special educators are having through focus groups with teachers from various school districts in surrounding areas. By discussing with new special educators and administration, we hope to find the supports we can give pre-service and current special educators to decrease the attrition rate in this profession. As a pre-service teacher this opportunity has given me a new perspective on how a general educator should look at the responsibilities of a special educator. We must collaborate and do our own part in the process, giving so much respect to the work they do.