Special Education vs. General Education: Similarities and Differences

If you're ready to make a difference as an educator, then you'll need to decide which area of education you wish to pursue. Two of the most common include general and special education, which differ greatly when it comes to classroom structure, student needs, qualifications and curriculum.

So, which path is right for you, and how can educators bridge the proverbial gap between the two? With a better understanding of these important issues, you can get a better feel for what your future career path may hold.

What Is Special Education?

What does special education entail, and what do special education teachers do, anyway? In simplest terms, special education (SpEd) is a form of education that centers around students with disabilities.

Purpose

In a special education setting, teachers primarily focus on supporting students with a wide range of disabilities or special needs. Common examples of disabilities that students in a special education classroom may have include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Development delays
• Learning disabilities
• Speech impairments

More specifically, special education is governed by laws and regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Students who need special education may find themselves immersed in general classrooms, in resource rooms or in self-contained classrooms.

Who Special Education Serves

Special education is meant to serve students with a wide range of learning disabilities and other special needs, including physical impairments (such as blindness or deafness). When a student needs special education, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created with input from teachers, family members, medical professionals and advocates. This plan ensures the student receives the necessary instruction to meet learning or behavioral goals. It may also include classroom modifications or accommodations to support these goals.

Key Features of Special Education

Typically, special education classrooms have smaller teacher-to-student ratios than general education classrooms due to the more personalized, one-on-one guidance that special education students may require. Special education teachers use customized teaching methods and specialized strategies to help each student reach their goals. They also work closely with specialists, such as speech and occupational therapists.

What Is General Education?

General education, as you can probably imagine, differs from special education in a number of ways. As a result, the role of general education teachers also tends to look quite different from the work of special education teachers.

Purpose of General Education

General education is designed to provide a standard curriculum that can be applied to all students with the end goal of fostering academic, social and personal growth. The purpose of general education is to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge and skills across a wide range of disciplines, including sciences, arts and humanities.

Who General Education Serves

Unlike special education programs, where each student has a personalized IEP and receives a tailored education, students in a general education program more-or-less have the same learning experience and instructional approach. A general education teacher plays a crucial role in shaping a diverse classroom environment. They are tasked with managing a standard curriculum while addressing varying student needs, often collaborating with special education professionals to support inclusive education.

Special education students are sometimes integrated into general education classrooms for inclusion. However, most students in general education classrooms do not have significant disabilities or special needs that require personalized support.

Key Features of General Education

Compared to a dedicated special education classroom, general education classrooms tend to have larger class sizes with standardized teaching methods. In a general education classroom, there may also be an emphasis on group learning with standardized assessments throughout the year. Ultimately, the primary focus in the general education classroom is helping students prepare for higher education and/or future careers.

Main Differences Between Special Education and General Education

When comparing special education vs. general education, there are some significant differences worth noting, especially if you're trying to determine whether a career as a special or general education teacher may be better suited for you.

Student Needs

Students in a special education classroom tend to have learning disabilities or physical disabilities that prevent them from thriving in a general education program. With this in mind, special education students often receive personalized instruction and an IEP to help them work towards specific goals. This is not the case in a general education classroom, where students receive, more or less, the same learning experience.

Classroom Structure

The structure of a special education classroom can also differ greatly from that of a general education classroom. First, the class sizes in a special education classroom tend to be much smaller. Likewise, special education classrooms may rely on visual cues or specific layouts to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for students with special needs or disabilities. This may include, for example, a sensory area or play area with fidget toys and other resources.

Teacher Qualifications

Because students with learning disabilities and other special needs require a very personalized approach to education, special education teachers typically need a formal degree in special education and a state license to work in this kind of role. Special education teachers also need to have impeccable patience and strong communication skills to find success in this challenging yet rewarding line of work.

Teaching Methods

In a general education classroom, teachers may rely on similar teaching methods for all students. However, because of the personalized needs of special education students, teachers in these classrooms may need to draw upon several different teaching methods to deliver a single lesson plan.

Curriculum

Whereas general education programs are designed to be "one-size-fits-all," a special education curriculum must be tailored to each student using an IEP. Similarly, a special education curriculum should be flexible and adaptable, customized based on a student's specific needs and progress.

Similarities Between General and Special Education

Despite their notable differences, there are still some important similarities to note between special education and general education.

Commitment to Student Success

At the end of the day, both special education and general education teachers are committed to helping their students succeed. Special education teachers are dedicated to helping students succeed, whether by tailoring lessons for those with learning disabilities or supporting them in general education classrooms. They are passionate about empowering students to reach their full potential.

Collaboration Among Educators

Working as a general or special education teacher also requires a great deal of collaboration between educators, parents, administration and staff. Meanwhile, special education teachers may also need to work together with doctors, therapists and other professionals to ensure that students with special needs receive the education they need.

For inclusion to be effective, collaboration between special education teachers and general education teachers is vital. General education teachers work closely with special education staff to ensure that students with IEPs receive the support they need while participating in a general classroom environment

Adherence to Educational Standards

Both special and general education teachers are held to strict educational standards, although the laws and regulations governing them can differ. For instance, special education teachers need to be well versed in IDEA regulations, as well as laws like the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

General educators, on the other hand, need to be familiar with requirements under the General Education Act and similar laws that may affect their teaching.

How to Bridge the Gap Between Special and General Education

Ultimately, bridging the proverbial gap between special and general education boils down to educators communicating with each other and working together in the best interests of their students. By understanding the diverse needs of all students, educators can do their best to make sure that every learner feels supported along their learning journey.

Interested in Learning More?

Both special and general education share a commitment to student success, adherence to standards and educator collaboration. However, they differ significantly in their approaches and focus. Ultimately, choosing the path that's right for you will depend on where your unique interests lie and what your career goals look like.

If you're interested in advancing your knowledge of special education, then it may be time to pursue your Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education from the University of Memphis Global. This online degree program can be completed from the comfort of your home and focuses on important topics such as inclusive classroom practices, behavior management and collaboration among educators.

Learn more about this program or any other graduate program offered at The University of Memphis Global by contacting us today. If you're ready to get started, you can also complete your online application for admission.