Posted on November 21st, 2025 in Blog, Education

How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Oregon

Every school district seeks to provide each of its students with a high-quality education, but opportunities still exist to improve the education provided to students with disabilities. For example, according to a 2025 report by the National Council on Teacher Quality:

  • Seventy percent of fourth grade students with disabilities scored below the basic level in reading.
  • Fifty-three percent of fourth grade students with disabilities scored below the basic level in math.

Unfortunately, states across the country are experiencing a shortage of special education teachers, and Oregon is no exception. For those living in Oregon who have an interest in teaching special education, now is a great time to enter the field.

Whether they are considering pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in education with a special education endorsement — or adding a special education (SPED) endorsement to their teaching license — individuals interested in working with students with disabilities in Oregon can benefit from learning how to become a special education teacher in the state.

What Special Education Teachers in Oregon Do

Special education teachers in Oregon focus on educating students who are challenged by emotional, learning, physical, or mental disabilities. Some special education teachers teach in classrooms that include only students with disabilities while others teach in inclusive classrooms that serve students with a variety of ability levels.

Job Duties of Special Education Teachers

It is important for aspiring special education teachers to know what special education teachers do. 

Special education teachers are responsible for:

  • Determining their students’ educational needs and assessing their skills
  • Creating an individualized education plan (IEP) for each of their students
  • Adjusting lesson plans to meet each student’s needs
  • Developing educational activities that align with their students’ abilities
  • Providing instruction and mentoring
  • Advocating for their students and ensuring their school complies with special education laws
  • Helping their students prepare for the next grade level or for life after school

How to Become a Special Education Teacher and Get a Special Education Endorsement in Oregon

Knowing how to become a special education teacher can help individuals make a plan to reach their goals. Along with getting a teaching license, special education teachers also need to obtain a special education endorsement in Oregon. 

The information below summarizes the steps to take to become a special education teacher in Oregon.

  • Earn a Relevant Bachelor’s Degree

Completing a bachelor’s degree program in education, special education, early childhood education, or a related discipline provides individuals with a solid base of knowledge in education. These degree programs enable individuals to gain skills in curriculum planning, classroom management, and educational technology — all critical for a successful teaching career.

  • Fulfill Teacher Preparation Requirements

All aspiring teachers in Oregon must complete a teacher preparation program that the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) has approved. 

Individuals often fulfill that requirement through the student teaching component of their TSPC-approved bachelor’s degree program. Those whose degree program did not include student teaching can complete a teacher preparation program through a TSPC-approved graduate program or a TSPC-approved nontraditional teacher preparation program.

  • Obtain an Oregon Teaching License

As is true for anyone who wants to become a teacher in Oregon, aspiring special education teachers need to obtain a teaching license from the TSPC. To do that, individuals need to submit a license application and fee, undergo a background check, and have their higher education institution send their official transcripts to the TSPC.

  • Obtain an Oregon Special Education Endorsement

Individuals who want to become special education teachers in Oregon also need to obtain a special education endorsement from the TSPC — an additional credential that authorizes licensed teachers to work with students who have disabilities. This entails completing a TSPC-approved preparation program in special education. 

Preparation program options are as follows:

  • Bachelor’s degree programs in education — for example, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education degree programs — that include the coursework necessary to obtain a special education endorsement
  • Graduate degree programs in education — for example, Master of Education degree programs — that include the coursework necessary to obtain a special education endorsement 
  • Special education endorsement programs that do not confer a degree but enable already licensed teachers to complete the coursework necessary to obtain a special education endorsement

These programs teach individuals key skills in areas such as behavior management, instructional adaptation, and student assessment.

In addition, to obtain a special education endorsement in Oregon, individuals must:

  • Pass a subject matter exam on special education
  • Submit an endorsement application and fee
  • Request that their higher education institutions provide TSPC with a program completion report and official transcripts

Salary, Employment Outlook, and Oregon Special Education Teacher Stipend

It can be helpful for those who want to become special education teachers in Oregon to learn about the salary and job outlook for the position, as well as the Oregon special education teacher stipend.

Special education teachers had a median annual salary of $64,270 as of May 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In recent years, Oregon has implemented incentive programs — including one-time stipends — to help attract and retain special education teachers. Such measures underscore the state’s commitment to building its special education teacher workforce.

A continuing shortage of special education teachers translates into a favorable employment outlook for special education teachers. For example:

  • The U.S. is projected to have an average of 37,800 job openings for special education teachers each year through 2034, according to the BLS.
  • Oregon is projected to have an average of 310 job openings for special education teachers each year through 2032, according to Projections Central, a workforce projections website sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • According to a survey by the National Center for Education Statistics, 72% of public schools that had vacancies in special education teaching positions in the 2024-2025 school year had difficulty filling those positions with qualified teachers.

Apply Your Skills and Expertise as a Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers have the opportunity to conduct meaningful work that helps students get the most out of their education. Choosing to become a special education teacher can be a great career move for anyone seeking a rewarding career.

If you have an interest in working in special education, explore the academic programs that Warner Pacific University Online offers to learn how one of these programs can help you reach your career goals:

Offered in a flexible online format, these programs prepare aspiring and current educators for fulfilling careers in special education. Start achieving your career ambitions today with WPU Online. 

Recommended Readings
How to Become an Elementary School Teacher
How to Develop Teacher Leadership Skills
Master of Arts in Teaching vs. Master of Education: Choosing Your Advanced Degree Path

Sources:
Education Week, “Retention Is the Missing Ingredient in Special Education Staffing”
National Center for Education Statistics, School Pulse Panel: Surveying High-Priority, Education-Related Topics, Staff Hiring
National Council on Teacher Quality, “Building a Strong Teacher Workforce for Students With Disabilities and English Learners”
Oregon Department of Education, 2024-2025 Special Education Staff Stipends Guidance
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Adding Endorsements
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Frequently Asked Questions
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Oregon Teaching Licenses: Application Submission Guidance First License Requirements
Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, Testing for Teaching License Endorsements and Specializations
Projections Central, Long-Term Occupational Projections (2022-2032)
Teal, “How to Become a Special Education Teacher”
Teal, “Special Education Teacher Skills”
Teal, “What Is a Special Education Teacher?”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Special Education Teachers