ARTICLE

Volume 10,Issue 8

All Issues
Submit to JCER
Cite this article
1
Citations
1
Views
22 November 2018
Exploring Factors toward Pursuing a Career in Special Education
Linda M. Reeves
Show Less
JCER 2018 , 2(5), null; https://doi.org/10.26689/jcer.v2i5.480
Download PDF
Cite
XML
HTML
Abstract

This study explored factors influencing an individual’s decision to pursue a career in special education.  Twenty-one graduate students in the Southeast who were enrolled in a master’s degree program in special education participated in a survey.  The survey consisted of nine questions that allowed the participants to provide information about (a) their background, (b) factors which contributed towards pursuing a career in special education, and (c) recommendations for university teacher preparation programs to effectively recruit more special education teachers.  The results were summarized quantitatively.  The majority of the participants were pursing special education certification as a second career.  Although their backgrounds varied, they all reported having prior experiences with individuals with disabilities which influenced their decision.  In addition, the most frequently stated recommendation for university teacher preparation programs to recruit special educators was to provide more exposure and experiences with individuals with disabilities.  Overall, the results highlighted the importance of experiences with individuals with disabilities in influencing one’s decision to pursue a career in special education.  

References
Sutcher L, Darling-Hammond L, Carver-Thomas D. A Coming Crisis in Teaching? Teacher Supply, Demand, and Shortages in the US. Palo Alto, CA: Learning Policy Institute; 2016. AvailableFrom:https://Www.learningpolicyinstitute.org/sites/default/files/product-files/A_Coming_Crisis_in_Teaching_REPORT.pdf.
Zhang D, Wang Q, Losinski M, Katsiyannis A. An examination of preservice teachers’ intentions to pursue careers in special education. J Teach Educ 2013;65:156-71.
US Department of Education. Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing 1990-1991 Through 2017-2018; 2017. Available from: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/ tsa.doc.
McLeskey J, Tyler N, Flippin SS. The supply of and demand for special education teachers: A review of research regarding the nature of the chronic shortage of special education teachers. J Spec Educ 2004;38:5-21.
Nougaret AA, Scruggs TE, Mastropieri MA. Does teacher education produce better special education teachers? Except Child 2005;71:217-29.
Thornton B, Peltier G, Medina R. Reducing the special education teacher shortage. Clearinghouse 2007;80:233-8.
Fish WW, Stephens TL. Special education: A career of choice. Remedial Spec Educ 2010;31:400-7.
McLeskey JM, Rosenberg MS, Westling DL. Inclusion: Effective Practices for All Students. London: Pearson HigherEd; 2012.
Billingsley BS. Special education teacher retention and attrition: A critical analysis of the research literature. J Spec Educ 2004;38:39-55.
Emery DW, Vandenberg B. Special education teacher burnout and ACT. Int J Spec Educ 2010;25:119-31.
Stephens T, Fish W. Motivational factors toward pursuing acareer in special education. Education 2010;130:581-94.
Brownell M, Sindelar P, Bishop A, Langley L, Seo S. Special education teacher supply and teacher quality: Problems and solutions for states, districts, and schools. In: Dow JL, Webb RB, editors. Quality Education for Florida’s Children: The President’s Symposium on Teacher Quality, Retention, and Recruitment. Gainesville: College of Education, University of Florida; 2003. p. 56-61.
Katsiyannis A, Zhang D, Conroy MA. Availability of special education teachers: Trends and issues. Remedial Spec Educ 2003;24:246-53.
Boe EE, Cook LH, Sunderland RJ. Teacher turnover:Examining exit attrition, teacher area transfer, and school migration. Except Child 2008;75:7-31.
Connelly V, Graham S. Student teaching and teacher attrition in special education. Teach Educ Spec Educ 2009;32:257-69.
Reeves LM, Giles RM, Johnson T. Choosing to become a special educator: Investigating preservice teacher’s preferences. Special education research. Policy Pract 2018;2:114-28.
Gottfried NW, Jones RL. Career choice factors in special education. Except Child 1964;30:218-23.
DeSutter KL, LeMire SD. Exploring the special education versus regular education decisions of future teachers in the rural Midwest. Rural Spec Educ Q 2016;35:3-9.
Share
Back to top
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept