In your view, does teaching special education require more effort than general education?
A lesser-discussed aspect is the considerable paperwork that special education teachers handle due to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). They need to create them, communicate with parents, set up meetings, and handle much more additional work on top of their usual classroom duties. Additionally, they often deal with a group of students who present more challenges.
@MABLE
On the other hand, marking student work is significantly less. Also, I had four teaching assistants who were highly skilled. They could take over the class if I needed to step out, allowing my meetings to occur during school hours.
@MABLE
I try to make things smoother for my co-teachers. When they offer to help with grading, I encourage them because I want them to feel part of the team, even though they already have a lot on their plates.
@MABLE
As an English teacher, the argument about paperwork doesn’t sway me much; we all deal with a lot of paperwork. I wouldn’t trade my role for a special education position due to the high level of parental involvement required there.
The workload really varies by individual. For example, an elementary general education teacher might have more tasks like grading papers, managing grades, and creating or revising assignments. However, I’ve observed some special education teachers who do the bare minimum, which still involves a significant amount of work depending on their case load and the school’s expectations. In my experience, no other teaching role matches the workload of a committed general classroom teacher.
Yes, absolutely more work.
Definitely more work. Once you’re recognized as competent in special education, it’s tough to switch back to general education without moving to another district.
Absolutely, it’s like doing two jobs at once. Imagine being a general education teacher plus managing a heap of state and federal paperwork with legal implications. It demands as much time as preparing for class and lesson building.
@PoshTosh
In my school, special ed teachers aren’t required to write lesson plans, set up the classroom, or grade. Their case load is between 13-15 kids, while I handle 83 kids, including the same 15 on their case load. I also handle the modifications for lessons, materials, assessments, and projects, plus liaising with parents about my classes and managing additional 504 plans.
@esleystanley
It sounds like your school’s approach to special education is unusual. Even in co-teaching setups, special education teachers are expected to modify lessons to suit their students. That’s what our training is for. I teach in a self-contained special ed class and handle everything: setting up the classroom, writing highly individualized lesson plans, managing behaviors, coordinating with therapy services, and supervising staff. Although my case load is small, the work is intensive.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
In my experience as a high school Spanish teacher, I’ve never had a special education teacher modify my lessons; it’s always been up to me to integrate necessary modifications.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
I’ve also never seen special ed teachers modify materials. They typically use what I prepare.
@EduVibeTrailblazer
That’s incorrect. General education teachers are responsible for adapting their curriculum to accommodate all students, including those with special needs, under legal obligations. If your school’s general education teachers aren’t doing this, not only is the school’s approach to special education incorrect, but it’s also illegal.
NemwelSamuel2 said:
@esleystanley
Have you ever worked as a special education teacher?
I started my career as a paraeducator, so while I’m not a certified special education teacher, I do have some background in the field.
@esleystanley
I’d love to work where you do. It sounds a lot easier than my job as a special education teacher.
keny said:
@esleystanley
I’d love to work where you do. It sounds a lot easier than my job as a special education teacher.
I work in Massachusetts.