UW-Stout’s Special Education program prepares future educators to teach students across categories of disabilities—including learning, cognitive, emotional and behavioral disabilities—from kindergarten through adolescence, approximately ages 5 through 21.
Special education is founded on the philosophy of advocacy for persons with exceptionalities and their families, and of embracing and teaching to individual differences and needs. Therefore, special educators must know the characteristics of the learners they serve, possess the skills to design effective interventions and the dispositions to practice within established standards.
Interested?
Increasingly, students with disabilities are served in inclusive regular education settings supplemented by support services provided by a special education case manager. Therefore, special education teachers must possess a working knowledge of all general education curriculum subjects and content. Special education teachers work with general education teachers to develop lesson plans, materials and tests; adapt curriculum to be appropriate for each student; and teach specific learning strategies and study skills. The special education teacher responsibilities also include assessment, developing individual education and transition plans, and working with families and other support services.
Graduates of this program will receive a Wisconsin teaching license in cross-categorical special education. They will possess competencies to assess their students’ vocational readiness, provide a school-to-work curriculum, provide transition services to students with disabilities, and assist families of students with special needs to coordinate with community service providers.
Preparing for UW-Stout
A college preparatory background is recommended for students interested in the special education program. English, science, mathematics, social studies, art and music are important as these areas are all included in teaching children and young adults.
Starting Out
Your coursework is arranged so that courses can be taken in special education along with general education. General education courses include English composition, speech, psychology, history, biology and math. Your teaching contact with children will gradually increase so that by the time you assume student teaching responsibility, you already have gained experience in special education settings. Faculty members are highly qualified and eager to help you with course and career choices. Help also is available through the Advisement and Career Centers, the Counseling Center and Career Services.
As You Progress
The curriculum includes courses in educational psychology; multiculturalism; classroom management; vocational evaluation; behavioral intervention in schools; and school, family and community collaboration. You will develop techniques used to teach across categories of disabilities, including cognitive, emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities. You will complete a variety of field experiences in school settings beginning at the sophomore level and culminating in a full semester of student teaching. Special education faculty and students also regularly engage in outreach service and collaboration within the region and state.
Rewarding Careers
There is a severe shortage of special education teachers throughout the United States, as evidenced by personnel studies conducted at state and national levels. The 2003 Teacher Supply Demand Report indicated an above average need for special education teachers with cross-categorical certification. Also, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, “employment of special education teachers is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through 2010, spurred by continued growth in the number of special education students needing services, legislation emphasizing training and employment for individuals with disabilities, and educational reforms requiring higher standards for graduation.”