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Adult education teacher vs special education teacher

The differences between adult education teachers and special education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a special education teacher has an average salary of $54,290, which is higher than the $41,280 average annual salary of an adult education teacher.

The top three skills for an adult education teacher include classroom management, math and ESL. The most important skills for a special education teacher are classroom management, autism, and behavior management.

Adult education teacher vs special education teacher overview

Adult Education TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Yearly salary$41,280$54,290
Hourly rate$19.85$26.10
Growth rate-6%4%
Number of jobs70,77567,699
Job satisfaction-4.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4343
Years of experience4-

What does an adult education teacher do?

An adult education teacher teaches and coordinates programs developed for adult learners. Adult education teachers assist learners who stop schooling early to provide for their families. They are advocates for the skills and confidence needed by those who were not able to complete their learning and in preparation for their job. Other than teaching, they make lesson plans so that adult learners can meet their goals. Also, they help students to look for resources that can be used to network in their job community.

What does a special education teacher do?

A special education teacher is responsible for teaching students with disabilities. Special education teachers are trained professionals to provide distinct learning instructions for children with special cases for them to achieve their potentials and improve their self-confidence. A special education teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist the students with their learning areas. Special education teachers should be able to come up with engaging activities to support the students' behavioral and intellectual development.

Adult education teacher vs special education teacher salary

Adult education teachers and special education teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Adult Education TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Average salary$41,280$54,290
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $55,000Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityNovato, CABaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateWashingtonMaryland
Best paying companyContra Costa CollegeBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between adult education teacher and special education teacher education

There are a few differences between an adult education teacher and a special education teacher in terms of educational background:

Adult Education TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorElementary EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Adult education teacher vs special education teacher demographics

Here are the differences between adult education teachers' and special education teachers' demographics:

Adult Education TeacherSpecial Education Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 32.6% Female, 67.4%Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 6.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.6% Asian, 3.6% White, 71.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%8%

Differences between adult education teacher and special education teacher duties and responsibilities

Adult education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Teach students various subjects; writing, language, reading, science, social studies, and math.
  • Assist students in acquiring effective study skills and the self-confidence the student need to reenter an academic environment.
  • Instruct and motivate welfare-to-work clients in computers, high school completion courses, ESOL and with acquiring their GED.
  • Serve as a counselor between the students and school administrators in areas of language, cultural, and social differences.
  • Provide and maintain appropriate social interaction, receptive and expressive language programs, teaching job skills and other vocational subjects.
  • Show more

Special education teacher example responsibilities.

  • Lead a DIBELS intervention group.
  • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
  • Design a unique and differentiate curriculum that addressed state standards for both mathematics and special education.
  • Educate special needs kids with mental and physical disabilities using proven conventional and improvise teaching/learning methods.
  • Plan appropriate lessons align to NYS CCSS.
  • Instruct and create ELA lessons through Fountas and Pinnell and Fundations.
  • Show more

Adult education teacher vs special education teacher skills

Common adult education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Math, 11%
  • ESL, 10%
  • Social Studies, 7%
  • Language, 5%
  • Grammar, 5%
Common special education teacher skills
  • Classroom Management, 11%
  • Autism, 10%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • IEPs, 6%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%

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