The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a growth rate of 17 percent by 2020 for special ed teachers of all student ages. The greatest growth – 21 percent – is predicted for special ed teachers from preschool level through elementary school, with a 20-percent growth rate predicted at the middle school level. This growth rate compares favorably to the 17-percent increase predicted for general education teachers of kindergarten through middle school. The slowest growth for special ed teachers is at the high school level, which the BLS projects at seven percent, identical to the predicted rate for high school general education teachers. Considering this expected increased in manpower within the field, what is the greatest area of emphasis which needs to be taught to these incoming professionals to ensure maximum level of value to the students there intended to serve? Tim Swenson is an Assistant Professor of Health & Human Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Swenson is passionate about providing students with disabilities opportunities to be physically active, as well as teaching physical education and teacher education majors about adapted or special physical education. He joined me this week to share his experience in the field. Email: [email protected]  Twitter: @SwensontTim

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