All children have a right to an education; they also have a right to learn with other children in the same schools and classrooms that foster collaboration, empathy and social emotional learning.
In other words, children have a right to an inclusive learning environment.
Many schools and educators are reimagining what it means to create inclusive classrooms, and it’s become clear that there is a drastic need for special education experts who can lead the charge when it comes to inclusivity. One way that future or existing teachers can learn to develop the strategies for inclusive education is by obtaining an education specialist credential.
Let’s explore how pursuing a special ed credential program can lead to the success of diverse students through inclusive learning.
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The Rising Demand for Special Education Experts
There will always be a critical need for skilled teachers in the education field. In fact, data shows that the United States is experiencing a significant teacher shortage: a 2024 study revealed that there were nearly 55,000 vacant full-time teaching positions in the U.S.
In addition to the overall need for teachers today, the shortage of special education experts in the U.S. is even more dire. Research shows that over 50 percent of districts and 80 percent of states reported a shortage of special education professionals in 2023-24.
In California, specifically, the special education shortage is a significant one. The California Department of Education (CDE) attributes the state’s shortage to a variety of factors, including:
- the increase of students requiring special education services;
- a lack of qualified candidates for special education positions;
- and the fact that special education teachers in California are required to obtain an education specialist teaching credential, which can be an involved process.
The lack of special education teachers in California results in a variety of challenges: classrooms with very high teacher-to-class size ratios, reduced resources for students with specialized needs and unsustainable workloads for existing teachers. All of these challenges inhibit the fostering of inclusive classrooms, making it difficult for diverse students to learn important skills and thrive alongside their peers.
But there’s a solution to this critical problem: teaching students with special needs in inclusive classrooms.
The Impact of Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Classrooms
Inclusive education means “all children in the same classrooms, in the same schools.” It means that students who have traditionally been left behind in some capacity (because of disabilities, language barriers, or other reasons) would have access to real-world learning opportunities alongside their peers.
Inclusive education benefits all students — regardless of background, socio-economic status, race, ethnicity or unique learning needs.
With disability historically being one of the most serious obstacles to quality education, the need for special education teachers who can create inclusive classrooms and advocate for diverse students is critical. In order to effectively design inclusive systems in schools, teachers need to obtain a special ed credential, a teaching specialization that focuses on responsiveness, collaboration and compassion.
Note: Read our blog, What to Look for in a Graduate Education Program for Teachers.
#1. Professional Skills Development
An education specialist teaching credential will provide you with the professional knowledge needed to effectively foster collaboration in the classroom as well as advocate for students with diverse needs.
For students with special needs, an adjusted curriculum is often necessary. Teachers with an education specialist credential will have the skills to develop and implement both Differentiated Instruction (DI), or teaching methods that adjust lessons and activities to meet the needs of specific students, and Individualized Education Plans (IEP), or legal documentation that outlines the services a student with special needs will receive.
Special education teachers with a credential will also receive training on behavior management and interpersonal techniques that help foster clear communication and awareness between educators and students alike.
#2. Career Advancement and Teaching Specialization
A teaching credential will give you specialized skills, making you a more competitive candidate for hire in the education landscape at large. Obtaining a teaching specialization will also make you more eligible for versatile roles and more likely to secure leadership positions, such as:
- Coordinator of Special Education
- Director of Special Education Policy
- Director of Special Services
- Special Education Supervisor
- Instructional Coordinator
Obtaining one of these leadership roles will also increase your ability to make a real difference — giving you more authority when it comes to developing new curriculum, imagining novel strategies and setting industry standards.
#3. Fostering Collaboration for Student Success
It’s important to recognize the emotional rewards of supporting diverse learners through special ed instruction. As a special education expert, your goal is to develop the next generation of confident and driven citizens, and there’s no better way to do this than to work with students who need your own creative and compassionate approach to teaching.
You will feel an immense amount of personal and professional accomplishment every time you help a student in need overcome their challenges and gain a healthy real-world perspective.
#4. Societal Benefits
The goals and benefits of special education extend far beyond the classroom. Each special education teacher is helping mold the next generation of students who will enter society better equipped to thrive because of the support they received in the classroom.
As a special education expert, you will model respect, acceptance and diversity of both thought and experience. And you can be confident that your work will go on to have a tangible, real impact on the lives of your students — leading to a healthier society and more inclusive, compassionate world.
Elevate Education with the Mount's Education Specialist Credential
The Master of Science in Education and Teaching Credential Programs at Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles are all founded on a dedication to social justice and ethical leadership through education.
At the Mount, we offer a variety of Teaching Credentials that are designed to give you specialized skills in a specific area of education that you’re passionate about. Students who pursue a preliminary teaching credential receive both a Master of Science in Education degree and their credential.
We are especially focused on developing educators who can make a difference through special education. As such, we offer two credentials for future special education teachers:
- Education Specialist: Mild/Moderate Disabilities (prepares students to become licensed special education teachers in the state of California)
- Education Specialist: Deaf & Hard of Hearing (prepares students to provide educational instruction to children with hearing loss and their families)
Students at the Mount can also pursue two credentials, either the Preliminary Single Subject or Preliminary Multiple Subject, along with the Education Specialist Credential at a discounted rate of time and money. This is a valuable, unique opportunity that many schools do not offer.
Note: Learn more about the preliminary single subject credential with our blog, Exploring the Single-Subject Teaching Credential in California.
You have the valuable opportunity to become the special education expert that’s critically needed today. Are you ready to start your special education journey? We invite you to schedule an appointment to chat with us, request more information or get started on your application today.
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elevating your education career at the Mount:
