Special Education Teaching as a Profession: Lessons Learned from Occupations that Have Achieved Full Professional Standing

Overview & Synopsis

In this article, issues surrounding the status of special education teaching as a profession are investigated. First, the authors consider what makes an occupation a profession and examine the range of views of professions in American society. Second, the authors describe the evolution and developmental history of three established professions: medicine, law, and engineering. The authors then consider the developmental status of special education in relation to the histories of these three established professions. Using this information, the authors consider issues that professions typically face as they develop, including personnel supply and demand; public perception and status; and the role of the profession in personnel preparation. The authors conclude this article with a discussion of actions that will be necessary if special education teaching is to achieve the status of a profession.