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Reading specialist vs special education teacher

The differences between reading specialists and special education teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a reading specialist has an average salary of $57,978, which is higher than the $54,290 average annual salary of a special education teacher.

The top three skills for a reading specialist include language arts, student learning and assessment data. The most important skills for a special education teacher are classroom management, autism, and behavior management.

Reading specialist vs special education teacher overview

Reading SpecialistSpecial Education Teacher
Yearly salary$57,978$54,290
Hourly rate$27.87$26.10
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs2,38667,699
Job satisfaction-4.33
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4343
Years of experience--

What does a reading specialist do?

Reach truck operators are responsible for safely using reach trucks (forklifts). They operate their reach truck to load, move, and unload new warehouse or sizeable retail store materials. Operators will need various mechanical and communication skills, as well as good visual acuity. Obtaining the proper licensure and understanding the safety protocols involved with heavy machinery is important to the job.

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.

Reading specialist vs special education teacher salary

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

Reading SpecialistSpecial Education Teacher
Average salary$57,978$54,290
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $76,000Between $39,000 And $73,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateAlaskaMaryland
Best paying companyCentral State UniversityBaltimore City Public Schools
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between reading specialist and special education teacher education

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

Reading SpecialistSpecial Education Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorElementary EducationSpecial Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Reading specialist vs special education teacher demographics

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

Reading SpecialistSpecial Education Teacher
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 13.3% Female, 86.7%Male, 24.6% Female, 75.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%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 Percentage8%8%

Differences between reading specialist and special education teacher duties and responsibilities

Reading specialist example responsibilities.

  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Coordinate and direct the annual drama production.
  • Provide direct services to the RTI students through the best guide reading practices.
  • Coordinate and execute all festive cultural events for families of students in grades k-12.
  • Organize school-wide educational events and activities specific to the needs of children with autism.
  • Review basics of writing essays, discussion of reading selection, and development of writing skills.
  • 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

Reading specialist vs special education teacher skills

Common reading specialist skills
  • Language Arts, 6%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Assessment Data, 5%
  • K-8, 4%
  • Staff Development, 4%
  • Instructional Strategies, 4%
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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