25-2058.00

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Career Cluster:Education
Job Family:Educational Instruction and Library
Job Zone:Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Industry:Educational Services
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Key Tasks

  • Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
  • Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
  • Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
  • Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
  • Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
  • Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
  • Teach personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
  • Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • Prepare objectives and outlines for courses of study, following curriculum guidelines or requirements of states and schools.
  • Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
  • Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
  • Monitor teachers and teacher assistants to ensure that they adhere to inclusive special education program requirements.
  • Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
  • Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
  • Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
  • Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
  • Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
  • Collaborate with other teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of secondary school programs.
  • Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
  • Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.
  • Prepare for assigned classes, and show written evidence of preparation upon request of immediate supervisors.
  • Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to provide guidance in using community resources and to teach skills for dealing with students' impairments.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Provide interpretation and transcription of regular classroom materials through Braille and sign language.
  • Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
  • Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guest speakers, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
  • Perform administrative duties, such as school library assistance, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  • Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
  • Visit schools to tutor students with sensory impairments and to consult with teachers regarding students' special needs.
  • Monitor students using personal electronics or school-issued technology.

Skills

Instructing
78%
Learning Strategies
78%
Reading Comprehension
75%
Speaking
75%
Coordination
72%
Social Perceptiveness
72%
Writing
72%
Active Listening
72%
Service Orientation
72%
Monitoring
72%
Time Management
69%
Complex Problem Solving
69%
Critical Thinking
69%
Judgment and Decision Making
66%
Active Learning
60%
Persuasion
50%
Systems Analysis
50%
Negotiation
50%
Systems Evaluation
50%
Management of Personnel Resources
47%
Mathematics
41%
Management of Material Resources
22%
Science
22%
Operations Monitoring
22%
Operations Analysis
22%
Management of Financial Resources
19%
Technology Design
19%
Quality Control Analysis
16%
Programming
13%
Operation and Control
0%
Troubleshooting
0%
Repairing
0%
Installation
0%
Equipment Selection
0%
Equipment Maintenance
0%

Knowledge

Education and Training
95%
English Language
90%
Psychology
80%
Customer and Personal Service
72%
Administrative
64%
Computers and Electronics
64%
Therapy and Counseling
64%
Mathematics
61%
Public Safety and Security
59%
Administration and Management
58%
Sociology and Anthropology
57%
Law and Government
52%
Personnel and Human Resources
48%
Communications and Media
47%
Geography
40%
Philosophy and Theology
36%
Biology
35%
History and Archeology
34%
Medicine and Dentistry
32%
Foreign Language
30%
Transportation
30%
Telecommunications
30%
Engineering and Technology
27%
Design
27%
Chemistry
27%
Economics and Accounting
26%
Physics
25%
Production and Processing
23%
Fine Arts
21%
Mechanical
20%
Sales and Marketing
20%
Food Production
16%
Building and Construction
13%

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Abilities

Speech Clarity
75%
Problem Sensitivity
75%
Oral Expression
75%
Deductive Reasoning
72%
Speech Recognition
72%
Inductive Reasoning
72%
Oral Comprehension
72%
Written Comprehension
72%
Written Expression
72%
Near Vision
69%
Information Ordering
69%
Fluency of Ideas
66%
Category Flexibility
50%
Selective Attention
50%
Originality
50%
Far Vision
47%
Memorization
47%
Flexibility of Closure
47%
Time Sharing
47%
Speed of Closure
47%
Perceptual Speed
44%
Auditory Attention
44%
Number Facility
44%
Visualization
41%
Mathematical Reasoning
41%
Visual Color Discrimination
31%
Hearing Sensitivity
25%
Trunk Strength
25%
Static Strength
22%
Depth Perception
22%
Multilimb Coordination
22%
Gross Body Coordination
22%
Stamina
19%
Gross Body Equilibrium
19%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
16%
Finger Dexterity
16%
Explosive Strength
16%
Wrist-Finger Speed
10%
Manual Dexterity
6%
Peripheral Vision
3%
Extent Flexibility
3%
Spatial Orientation
3%
Dynamic Strength
3%
Sound Localization
0%
Reaction Time
0%
Night Vision
0%
Speed of Limb Movement
0%
Control Precision
0%
Glare Sensitivity
0%
Rate Control
0%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%
Response Orientation
0%

Work Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
92%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
89%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
89%
Working with Computers
87%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
87%
Documenting/Recording Information
85%
Getting Information
83%
Thinking Creatively
80%
Training and Teaching Others
80%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
79%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
78%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
78%
Assisting and Caring for Others
78%
Processing Information
76%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
74%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
74%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
72%
Analyzing Data or Information
69%
Coaching and Developing Others
65%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
65%
Developing and Building Teams
65%
Scheduling Work and Activities
63%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
62%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
61%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
60%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
58%
Performing Administrative Activities
57%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
56%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
51%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
44%
Performing General Physical Activities
43%
Selling or Influencing Others
36%
Handling and Moving Objects
33%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
30%
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
30%
Controlling Machines and Processes
27%
Staffing Organizational Units
27%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
25%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
21%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
21%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
17%

Work Context

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

100%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

99%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

99%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

97%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

90%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

89%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

83%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

83%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

81%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

80%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

79%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

78%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

77%

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

75%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

71%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

71%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

70%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

70%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

66%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

62%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

59%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

58%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

55%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

48%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

46%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

44%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

39%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

35%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

33%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

31%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

30%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

30%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

27%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

24%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

23%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

23%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

21%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

15%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

14%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

12%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

11%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

10%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

9%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

7%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

7%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

5%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

3%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

3%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

3%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

1%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

1%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

1%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

1%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

1%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

0%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

0%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

0%

Education

Bachelor's degree

42%

Master's degree

42%

Post-baccalaureate certificate

15%

Interests

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

100

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

48

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

46

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

37

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

27

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

16

Work Styles

Empathy
99%
Cooperation
94%
Dependability
88%
Optimism
78%
Self-Control
78%
Social Orientation
78%
Sincerity
77%
Integrity
76%
Adaptability
74%
Stress Tolerance
74%
Perseverance
71%
Attention to Detail
69%
Achievement Orientation
65%
Initiative
57%
Intellectual Curiosity
56%
Humility
54%
Self-Confidence
54%
Tolerance for Ambiguity
54%
Innovation
53%
Cautiousness
52%
Leadership Orientation
49%

Work Values

Relationships
100%
Achievement
78%
Independence
72%
Working Conditions
67%
Recognition
56%
Support
50%

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