Education is a noble undertaking that demands a lot from teachers. One area is special education. My wife was involved in special education, and it takes a blend of patience, dedication, and training.

An article I read highlights an issue that reinforces the need for special educators. It will be easy to focus on the issue and the system, but young people reading articles like this should have their antennae up, searching for opportunities. Where there’s a problem, there’s a need for someone to be part of the solution. Young people – that could be you.

Main point: “…students may spend substantial portions of their school day engaged in noninstructional activities such as extended periods of games, choice or play time, movie viewing, or other activities unrelated to academic instruction.”

More about it:

• “In a special day class environment, numerous distractions from instruction exist naturally as a part of the classroom setup.”
• “…excessive unstructured time can pose unique challenges for students with significant disabilities. Overall, students benefit academically and behaviorally when meaningfully engaged in learning.”
• “There is also an urgent need for more research into and scrutiny of the amount of instructional time spent in special day classrooms for students with extensive support needs and the level of student engagement during this time.”

Why it matters for young people:

• Career opportunities: There is potential for a compelling career path for young people interested in making a difference in education.
• Social impact: You can contribute to improving educational outcomes for a vulnerable population.
• Educational reform: You can be part of meaningful education reform and policy work.
• Increasing demand: With the rise in special education students (now 15.2% of public-school students), there’s a growing need for innovative solutions and dedicated professionals in this field.

What to do about it:

• Explore special education careers: Consider pursuing a degree in special education or related fields to address the shortage of qualified teachers.
• Volunteer or intern: Gain hands-on experience by volunteering or interning in special education settings to understand the challenges and rewards of working with students with disabilities.
• Advocate for change: Get involved in local education policy discussions and advocate for better resources and support for special education programs.
• Develop relevant skills: Focus on developing skills in areas like individualized instruction, behavior management, and assistive technology, which are crucial in special education settings.
• Stay informed: Keep up with research and best practices in special education to contribute innovative ideas to the field.
• Consider interdisciplinary approaches: Look into how fields like technology, psychology, or occupational therapy can contribute to improving special education outcomes.

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