Becoming a special education teacher in Texas relates to teaching students with special needs. As a special education teacher, you have to be skilled to understand the needs of students with disabilities like speech problems, impaired hearing, emotional disorders, and other physical disorders.

If you wish to serve students with special needs, you can become a special education teacher in Texas through the Texas Classroom Program. Here is a brief explanation of how you can be a special education teacher in Texas.

Step 1: Complete the minimum education requirements

The minimum qualification to become a teacher in Texas is a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Having a bachelor’s degree majoring in special education can help you understand the needs of special students better. However, it’s not a necessity to major in special education.

Anyone with a bachelor’s degree in any field and major can become a special education teacher in Texas.

Step 2: Apply for the Educator Preparation Program

This is a vital step in becoming a classroom teacher in Texas. EPP, or Educator Preparation Program, is a state-authorized program that allows aspirants to gain the necessary skills to become classroom teachers.

Such a program includes theoretical and practical sessions before you sit for the Texas educator tests. You can enroll in EPP while completing your bachelor’s. In such a case, you enroll in a traditional EPP.

You should enroll in an alternative EPP if you want to become a special education teacher after switching careers.

To enroll in an EPP program, you need first to know the list of approved colleges that offer EPP. You can find such a list here. Thereafter, select ‘special education’ from the category list to see the approved EPPs in Texas on the right. There are 87 approved EPPs in Texas currently.

Step 3: Apply for the Texas educator certification tests

The aspirant needs to pass certain tests in order to apply for the Texas classroom teacher standard certificate. Once you have enrolled, completed, and gotten approval from your EPP, you immediately visit the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website to apply for the tests.

The two tests required to obtain certification as a special education teacher include:

• TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities PPR (EC-12) 160

All first-time teacher aspirants need to appear for this test, no matter the subject area. TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities PPR (EC-12) 160 is a computer-administered test that contains 100 questions to be completed in 5 hours. The test is organized around the year by appointment. The passing score is 240, and the fee is $116.

This test puts the aspirant’s professional skills, classroom management skills, and related individual skills to the test.

• TExES Special Education EC-12 (161)

TExES Special Education EC-12 (161) is the main exam you need to register and pass to become a special education teacher. It’s a computer-administered test that contains 150 selected response questions to be attempted within 5 hours. The passing score is 240, and the exam fee is $116. You will be provided with an on-screen scientific calculator with your exam.

You can reappear for the exam if you are not able to pass it on the first attempt. You need to register to book an exam date and exam site.

Step 4: Apply for the Texas Educator Standard Certificate

Once you have applied and passed the above tests, you are on the final leg of becoming a special education teacher in Texas. To apply for the standard certificate, you need to create a TEAL account on the Texas Educator Agency website.

To create your account, click on TEAL login on the top menu bar. Next, click on Request a New User Account if you do not have one. Fill out the form that appears. Within the Organization type, choose Educator. Fill out the rest of the form and submit it. Once the account is created, the next step is to set up an educator account, known as ECOS.

Click on ECOS for Educator on the TEA Home page in the top menu to learn the process. It is through the ECOs portal that you will be prompted to apply for the standard certificate. Choose ‘Standard Certificate Texas Program’ from the left drop-down menu on your ECOS portal. You will also be required to pay the certificate fee of $78.

Once your request is submitted, the TEA will look into your test scores and other documents. You also need to submit your fingerprints as part of the process.

Step 5: Complete the fingerprinting process

You won’t be granted a standard certificate without completing the fingerprinting process. This is a background check carried out on the applicant to ensure its complete eligibility.

Once you submit the application for the standard certificate, an email will be sent to your registered email address to schedule the fingerprinting appointment. You need to click on the link sent to your email address to set the date for the appointment and pay the required fee ($40 to $50).

The result may take 4 to 5 working days. You can check your fingerprinting status through the ECOS portal and even download it.

Download your educator standard certificate from the ECOS portal. That’s it! You are now a special education teacher in Texas for five years.

Step 6: Apply for teacher positions

Once you have your standard certificate, you can start applying for teacher positions in all states of Texas. The Texas educator certificate even works in other states as well.

You can apply to public schools in Texas. For vacancies, you can drop your resume directly at different public schools in your area or take advantage of job sites. You can also be a special education teacher in private schools in Texas. Candidates necessarily do not require a standard certificate for the same, but having one can give you an extra advantage.

Renewal of the Standard Certificate

You should know that your Texas educator standard certificate is valid only for five years. To continue teaching in a Texas school as a special education teacher, you need to renew your certificate before the expiry of the term.

Only those educators who have completed 150 hours of coursework (Continued Professional Education course) are eligible to renew their certificate. Such coursework is available through TEA-approved CPE providers.

Once you have completed CPE, you need to pay the renewal fee and extend the validity of your standard certificate. You can apply for certificate renewal through your ECOS portal.

Special Education Teacher Salary in Texas

A special education teacher collects a higher salary as compared to teachers in other subject areas. As per Salary.com, a special education teacher in Texas can earn an average of up to $61419 per year in Texas. However, the salary can fall in the range of $36,594 to $97,755, depending on the school’s reputation, your teaching experience, and your grade level.

Become a Special Education Teacher With Us!

Becoming a special education teacher in Texas is pretty straightforward. Each and every aspirant has to follow a designated process. The EPPs, as well as the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program, make the process much easier. They prepare you for the tests as well as provide you with classroom teaching experience before you perform in real life.

Join TeacherBuilder.com on your journey to becoming a Texas teacher! Our 100% online curriculum and first-year teaching support make the certification process a breeze. With a stellar 98% test pass rate, we provide the education you need for a successful teaching career in the Lone Star State. Let us help you step into a Texas classroom with confidence. Apply for free today and let’s get started!

Disclaimer

This article does not contain legal, educational, or government advice. As regulations can change from time to time, readers are advised to check with their local education departments to receive up-to-date information.