“Pp, 2a 4, , ” Sa, hy eae S Wintt 7 N Special Education Offers Special Opportunities (NAPSA)—The rewards of working in special education begin with financial assistance to acquire a special education degree and include being qualified for jobs that are highly in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that more than 150,000 new special education teachers will be needed through the year 2010. To help fill these positions, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) offers financial assistance through educational grants. The grants pay for course work leading to a degree and/or licensure in a particular special education or related services program area. To qualify, students must commit to teach or practice in the occupation for which they become licensed. Students must commit to two years of service for every year of full-time study in which the student received the financial assistance. The OSEP funds numerous undergraduate and graduate programsfor careers that include: Special education classroom teacher. Adapted physical education teacher Educational audiologist Educational diagnostician Interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing * Occupational therapist and assistant Paraprofessional Physical therapist and * assistant Recreational therapist Rehabilitation counselor School counselor School nurse School psychologist School social worker Estimates of How Many Special Education Teachers Are Employed 611,550 332,000 1990 453,000 2000 2010 (projected) Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 edition Not sure what to get your degree in? Demand for special education teachersis rising. Speech-language pathologist and assistant To access the funds, contact the National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education (NCPSE) for a list of colleges and universities in your state offering OSEP programsora list of nationwide programsthat prepare students to teach in specific disability areas. Then contact the college or university you are interested in and confirm financial assistance in the program funded at that institution. You must qualify for admission to the program under regular admission standards, then contact the program director to receive grant application information specific to that OSEP program. The NCPSEprovides information regarding the status of professions in special education and related services. It also offers technical assistance to colleges and universities seeking to attract prospective special education professionals and individuals making mid-career changes. For more information, visit www.special-ed-careers.net or call 1-800-641-7824.
