As the number of students with special needs continues to grow, and the number of teachers available to work with them is not keeping pace, there is a great opportunity for those who want a career in the field. Special education covers an extensive range of learning and developmental issues like autism spectrum disorder, physical disabilities like blindness, deafness, orthopedic issues and others, including emotional and behavioral disorders.
Gaining the knowledge and skills needed to work with a range of students with different learning needs can be as simple as entering the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Education in Special Education K-12 online program from Arkansas State University (A-State). While affordable and convenient, the program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and is designed to be flexible for working adults.
The Current Outlook for Special Education Teachers
The National Center for Education Statistics reported that in the 2024-25 school year, 34% of schools reported being understaffed in special education positions. The shortage of teachers is attributed to multiple factors, including teachers leaving the profession, retiring or transferring to different teaching specialties. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is projecting that there will be nearly 36,000 openings for special education teachers each year over the next decade in the U.S.
In Arkansas, special education teacher shortages are among the high-need fields as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. More than one-third of Arkansas special education teachers fall into the category of unlicensed, retired/in the T-DROP, eligible to retire or deceased. The most significant shortages are reported in the following areas: Great Rivers, Arkansas River, Southeast, Pulaski County, Southwest and South Central. Special education teachers in the state of Arkansas are paid an average of $60,185 per year, with cities like Little Rock, and Prairie Grove reporting averages of $89,623 and $85,239, respectively.
Given the special education teacher shortages in Arkansas and across the whole country at all grade levels, it is an attractive career opportunity for teachers with an interest in supporting students with special needs. This can foster long-term growth and stability in their profession. The need for qualified teachers is increasing, making this a secure opportunity to pursue.
Rewards and Challenges of Being a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers are special people. Working with students with diverse needs gives a teacher the unique opportunity to make an impact on the lives of students with different needs and learning styles while also experiencing the personal fulfillment of knowing they are shaping a child’s future and preparing them for independent life beyond the classroom.
“Special education teachers get to exercise creativity and problem-solving skills more so than in a traditional classroom.” They may also form a special bond with students over the years, as some teachers work with students across several grades. Working closely with families and empowering them with resources and knowledge to support their special needs children is also rewarding.
It can be challenging to work in special education, as children’s needs are varied and often demanding. This, combined with budget constraints and a shortage of support staff, can require an active effort to avoid burnout. Mastering patience and adaptability is essential, but schools can do more to support their special education teachers.
Supporting special educators with training and disability-specific knowledge is critical to helping teachers stay in the profession. As a result, more school districts are boosting salaries, reducing teacher-student ratios and providing training on high standards for early intervention services. Making sure that teachers feel valued in their service and supported in their efforts can help with teacher retention.
Preparing for a Career as a Special Education Teacher
Learning effective strategies to support the families of special education students, as well as evidence-based practices for working with exceptional learners, is the foundation of the online B.S. in Special Education K-12 online program from A-State. You must be a resident of Arkansas willing to work in Arkansas to apply to this program, and you can transfer up to 90 credit hours to expedite your time to completion.
The flexibility of online learning removes traditional barriers while maintaining rigorous academic standards through virtual simulations, self-paced modules and comprehensive support systems. This program can prepare you for a variety of roles beyond the classroom, working with curriculum design, instruction coordination or support staff for early childhood programs.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s online Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education K-12 program.