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Education

Special Education Coordinator

Leads a special education program or department within a school or across a district, including knowledge of learning needs, social and emotional needs, and instructional approaches for learners with special needs. Additional activities include leading curriculum, professional, and team development; providing teacher support, development and evaluation; completing department business, budgeting, and reporting; and coordinating external activities such as participation in student organizations. Will often also teach students with a reduced class load.

Annual openings

718

Median wage

n/a

Typical education

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, though a minimum of a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university is expected for many of these jobs.

Growth 2024–2034

+12%

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree is required, though a minimum of a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university is expected for many of these jobs.

Credential requirement

Credential requirements not reported

Credential detail

In addition to a Teacher license and Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21) endorsement, a Special Education Specialist (ages 5-21) endorsement is valued by employers. For information on CTE roles, please see the Specialty Areas section.

Experience detail

At least 2-5 years of experience as a Licensed Special Education Teacher is expected.

Employer competency information

  • Able to lead Teachers in utilizing the following competencies — ● Communication - Be perceptive and responsive listeners, able to communicate with students in a variety of ways; help students to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively ● Instruction - Know and demonstrate knowledge of the content being taught, making the instruction and content relevant to students while fostering a positive learning environment and adjusting instructional approaches as needed ● Teamwork - Working collaboratively with other educators, the students, and the families to achieve learning outcomes ● Psychology - Engage students with different learning styles and abilities by using a variety of models of inclusive and effective practices ● Reading - Able to develop reading skills in students while also utilizing these skills to facilitate their own lifelong learning

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

A typical day

  1. Develop or implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of disabilities.
  2. Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification or positive reinforcement.
  3. Modify the general elementary education curriculum for students with disabilities.
  4. Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, or administrative regulations.
  5. Prepare classrooms with a variety of materials or resources for children to explore, manipulate, or use in learning activities or imaginative play.
  6. Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
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