How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Texas

Written by Randi Brookshire

Special Education Teacher Responsibilities

Special education teachers work with students who have individual needs, to further their understanding, self-sufficiency, and other skills. Special education teachers usually strive to build up students' academic understanding as well as independence and social capabilities. There are laws that outline many of the rights of individuals with disabilities and students, including having access to education that accommodates individual needs.

There are a variety of individual characteristics that students with disabilities can have. Those needs may include speech and hearing problems, physical impairments, emotional disorders, chronic illnesses, and many more. Special education teachers typically work with students with disabilities alongside other students when possible, but carry out individual instruction and methods when needed for student success. Special education teachers can work with students one-on-one as well as in small group settings and the traditional classroom.

Special education teacher responsibilities can also include creating an individualized education program, or IEP, for each disabled student. Not all special education students will have an IEP, but those that need individualized educational methods typically receive one. The IEP usually involves an evaluation by a special education teacher of a student's current abilities and projected educational goals. The IEP typically has a custom plan for each student and is shared among the student's teachers and parents. Teachers follow the IEP and track the progress of a student, revising the IEP as needed.

Special Education Jobs in Education

Special education jobs are available from preschool to adult levels. The table below summarizes the earnings and outlook for various special education teacher positions. All data is provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). According to BLS, the majority of special education teachers work in local schools, and those working in local schools had a higher median wage than those working in private schools (2023).

• According to the BLS, the average growth rate for all occupations is 3 percent.

The specific special education teacher responsibilities vary by position and student needs. As noted above, general responsibilities can include evaluating student needs and developing individualized plans for their education. Special education teachers may also plan the specific activities and instructional changes for each student and group. Teachers may also discuss the progress and needs of each student with other teachers as well as counselors, parents, and school administrators. Special education teachers with teacher assistants may need to mentor and oversee those assistants to ensure that students are receiving the needed guidance.

Some special education teachers may work specifically with groups or full classes, while others work with individuals or a variation of each of these. In classroom settings, teachers adapt lesson plans to match student needs. Special education teachers can work with students who have more severe disabilities to older ages, helping them to develop skills for independence. When working with special education students who have mild to moderate disabilities, teachers may also aid in job searchers, money management, and other life skills. People with disabilities can seek aid from occupational therapists when they age out of special education, whether at 18 or 21.

Special Education Teacher Requirements

Special education teachers must be certified to teach in order to work in public schools, and some private schools may also require (or prefer) teachers with certification. Both private and public schools usually require special education teachers to have a bachelor's degree in special education or a related field. Alternatively, special education teachers with degrees in other fields can complete a supplemental college program instead of another bachelor's degree. Some school districts also require teachers to have an English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement.

Candidates often need to have a certain GPA during their program, although the Texas Education Agency (TEA) does offer a test for those who do not meet the GPA requirement. In addition to a bachelor's degree, special education teacher requirements include passing the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) and obtaining TExES teacher certification. Private school special education positions do not typically require these from candidates, although they may increase the appeal of a resume.

How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Texas

Individuals who wish to become special education teachers in Texas must meet a few criteria, including academic and professional. Candidates must have at least a bachelor's degree and have completed a qualifying teacher education program. Other special education teacher requirements include passing the appropriate certification exams, including the TExES, as well as submitting fingerprints and completing the application. Preapproved special education teacher programs already include the required coursework, but students who complete other programs (or already have a different degree) can also meet the educational requirements through alternative programs. In addition, candidates must complete practical requirements, which prepare them for the work that they will be doing as special education teachers.

Step 1. Complete a Special Education College Program

The fundamental qualification for all special education teacher positions is to hold at least a bachelor's degree. There are a total of three avenues that individuals can take in order to meet this requirement, each of which is briefly discussed below. According to the TEA's website, there are currently around 90 approved educator programs for early childhood (EC) through 12th-grade special education. Many of these programs include an ESL endorsement in the coursework, as it is required by some schools.

• Bachelor's Degree - For someone who does not have prior college coursework, a bachelor's degree programs traditionally take four years to complete. Depending on the program, students might be able to shorten the overall length or extend it. Bachelor's degree programs in special education may be offered under different names, such as Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts. Students may be able to focus on certain grade levels (such as elementary grades) or complete the TExES Special Education EC-12.
• Post-Bachelor's Certificate Program - For aspiring teachers who already have a bachelor's degree, completing a post-bachelor's certification program for special education may be the fastest way to get into the field. Some schools might prefer candidates with certain bachelor's degrees, but other schools accept students regardless of their degree field. The length of these programs can depend on the bachelor's degree but can take around one year to complete.
• Master's Degree - Students who already have a non-education bachelor's degree can also choose to complete a master's degree program in special education. These programs usually include around 36 credits of coursework and take one or two years to complete, depending on how many classes students take each semester. The programs available vary, with some schools offering cohort programs and others offering more flexibility.

Finding a Special Education College Program

Before choosing a school, students should first decide on what they want from a program. Some special education programs are offered completely on campus, while others offer online coursework. One program option might proceed as a cohort, meaning that students progress together, while the other option allows students to take more (or fewer) courses as they choose. There are many variations between programs, so it is important for students to review those characteristics to find a good fit.

Other considerations include tuition and fees, school resources (such as tutoring and events), and how any on-campus requirements affect the student's schedule. Special education programs also include practical requirements (discussed below). Some schools might allow students to complete these near where they live, while others require students to complete the hours closer to the college. Students should ask their school's representative about these elements of their desired program.

Last but certainly not least, students should review the accreditation that applies to the schools they are considering. If a school is accredited, it means that the school has met (or exceeded) guidelines set by the accrediting agency, often relating to things such as graduation rates and faculty qualifications. Students must attend an accredited school in order to qualify for federal financial aid. Programs themselves can also be accredited. Texas provides a map list of special education programs that are already approved by the state board of education. Students who complete their program at another school can contact one of the TEA-approved schools to finish any incomplete requirements.

Paying for a Special Education Program

Various resources are available to help education students pay for their college program. Students should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a free online application that automatically applies for federal financial aid and helps to obtain other aid. Students can enter their school choices into the FAFSA to have the results sent to their financial aid offices. After completing the FAFSA, students may be able to find aid in each of the following categories.

• Scholarships - Scholarships are financial aid awards that do not need to be repaid. Scholarships can take more time to obtain because countless organizations offer them. Students should first consult with their financial aid office, employer, and other known groups or organizations. There are dozens of online scholarship sites, but not all of them maintain up-to-date records. A great place to find scholarships is the U.S. Department of Labor's Career One Stop scholarship finder.
• Grants - Grants are similar to scholarships but are more commonly offered by government offices (rather than private organizations). One example of a grant is the TEACH Grant, which is offered by the federal government. It is available to education students who agree to teach for a qualifying number of years in a high-demand field (including special education). More information can be found on the TEACH website.
• Student Loans - The government and some private organizations offer student loans, although private loans should not be used when possible. Federal loans have better interest rates and offer flexible repayment options as well as loan forgiveness options. Teachers may be eligible for up to three loan forgiveness options:
  • Teacher Loan Forgiveness - Teachers may qualify for this if they teach for five full years at a school (or schools) that serve low-income students.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness - This program is available to public employees who have made qualifying minimum payments over 10 years.
  • Other loan forgiveness - The remaining balance is forgiven on certain types of loans after 10, 20, or 25 years (depending on the loan). More information at Federal Student Aid.

Step 2. Complete Required Practicum Components

In order to qualify for a teaching certification in Texas, all candidates must complete some practicum requirements. These are simply hands-on, in the classroom hours in which teaching candidates observe and participate in the education process. The experiences can vary from school to school, but all special education teacher candidates will need to complete a specific number of hours. As noted before, some programs may allow students to complete these near their homes, and others require students to go to specific sites.

The special education teacher requirements in practicum experiences can include basic and specific tasks. For example, students may simply observe and maintain classrooms at first. As they progress through their program, classroom tasks may expand into grading, assisting teachers, and being more involved overall. Students may need to complete around 48 hours for the practicum requirement over the course of their program.

Step 3. Obtain Special Education Teacher Certification

As students reach the end of their special education program, they will need to complete a few other tasks in order to obtain certification. Their program should outline the appropriate time to complete each of the tasks. More information about obtaining licensure in Texas can be found at the TEA website.

Complete Certification Application

In order to acquire special education teacher certification, candidates will need to set up an online account with the TEA. This site will be the centralized location for application, testing, and certification information. Students can complete the application for certification online and/or through their special education teaching program. The status of their application can be reviewed through their TEA account. Candidates must also complete fingerprinting as part of their application for certification.

Take and Pass Certification Tests (TExES)

Special education teacher requirements include the TExES exam. The main exam for special education is Special Education EC-12. Candidates who already teach another subject area may instead be able to take the Special Education Supplemental test. The TExES test is administered on a computer and can be taken at preapproved exam sites. The TExES exam passing score is 240 and offers a total of five hours for completion. Aspiring teachers can complete the test year-round and access a multitude of TExES test preparation and other resources (more on this below). The TExES helps to ensure that teaching candidates have sufficient knowledge and training in their field of expertise, as required by the state of Texas.

Most students seeking special education certification will only need to take the TExES exam, but some students may also need one or two other exams for certification. These are the PACT and PASL tests. The PACT, or Pre-Admission Content Test, is for applicants who have not met other requirements (such as a 2.5 GPA or the completion of certain coursework). The PASL, or Performance Assessment for School Leaders, is for applicants seeking administrative roles. More information about testing can be found on the TEA website.

Step 4. Maintain and Renew Teaching License

Standard special education teacher certification is valid for five years. To maintain certification to teach, educators must meet certain criteria and renew their certification prior to its expiration. The TEA notes that teachers will be reminded via email six months before their certification expires. Renewing the certificate application can be done online within a teacher's TEA account.

Complete Required CPE

All Texas educators are required to complete CPE, or continuing professional education, to renew their teaching licenses. If enough CPE is not complete, then the certificate will become inactive. 150 CPE hours are required for certificate renewal. There are a variety of ways to earn CPE credit, such as attending conferences, completing staff development training, taking college classes, and much more. Special education teachers must have documentation of their CPE hours for certificate renewal. More information can be found on the Texas CPE page.

Professional Resources for Special Education Teachers

There are countless resources available to special education teachers in Texas, including professional organizations, tools for special education, and more. The list below is far from comprehensive but does provide information on prominent national resources as well as some of those endorsed by the TEA. Professional organizations can provide community and support as well as tools for education, while other resource providers may focus more on offering classroom resources and professional development opportunities.

• NASET - The National Association of Special Education Teachers, or NASET, is a national organization focused specifically on special education. Special education teachers can become members to gain access to benefits, and those who are pursuing a special education teaching role can also join NASET. Membership benefits include networking, professional development, special education newsletters, and so much more.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) - The CEC is a special education teacher and professional membership organization. It offers discounts for books and other materials as well as access to relevant publications and videos. Other benefits include professional development resources, forums, and other networking opportunities, regulatory information, and options to join specific interest groups. There are membership options for students, educators, retirees, and other individuals.
• Gulf Coast Administrators of Special Education - GCASE is a professional organization that connects special education professionals and provides access to a variety of resources. GCASE members can participate in conferences that are held throughout the year and can also receive mentoring and access to scholarships. The GCASE also offers support for special education teachers who are interested in becoming administrators and provides a broad range of educational tools and resources.
• CPE Providers - This list of providers is offered and approved by the TEA. These are organizations that enable special education and other teachers to earn CPE credits that are needed for certification renewal. There are more than 1,000 providers listed from across the United States. Some providers listed include the Special Education Training Center, Special Olympics Texas, and the Texas Council of Administrators of Special Education (TCASE).
• TCASE - TCASE is a professional organization for teachers and other professionals working in special education. Advocacy and support are the primary focuses of the TCASE. The organization works to support special education teachers by offering customized news on legislation and other topics. Members also have access to conferences, volunteering opportunities, professional development, and networking.
• Education Service Centers (ESCs) - There are twenty different ESCs throughout Texas. These centers provide different support services and resources for education professionals. Some of the services offered at ESCs include educational materials and professional development, conferences, and workshops. Special education teachers can identify their region's ESC on this TEA page.

TEXES Information & Resources for Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers need to take the Special Education EC-12 TExES exam. This exam is completed on a computer at an approved testing site. Students can schedule their tests online and choose their TExES testing centers. The test has 150 questions and offers a time limit of five hours. A score of 240 or better is required in order to qualify for teaching certification. The official special education TExES information page contains information about registration, testing, scoring policies, and additional resources for students.