Special Education Aide Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the special education aide job description, including the key tasks, duties, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the special education aide role.

What Does a Special Education Aide Do?

A special education aide is responsible for supporting the classroom teacher in providing special education to students with disabilities, specifically in the areas related to assistive technology and functional academics.

The special education aide job description entails supporting the classroom teacher in providing functional academics.

It includes assisting with tracking student progress, reviewing lesson plans and reports, sharing resources or materials in the classroom, and serving as an observer.

The special education aide is responsible for maintaining routine discipline procedures and providing behavioral assessment information to the classroom teacher.

They assist with group activities such as field trips and social activities to assist students with disabilities transition into mainstream classrooms.

It is also their responsibility to support students within their respective IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) by providing direct services, subbing or delegating tasks (e.g. laundry, playground supervision, cafeteria line monitoring).

Acting as an extra set of hands to assist the classroom teacher to meet the needs of all students with disabilities during group and individual activities is a valuable part of their tasks.

Communicating regularly with parents/guardians and school staff so that plans, goal setting and progress tracking can be addressed effectively is another duty they perform.

The special education aide may be asked to assist in physical exams (such as vision, hearing or scoliosis checks) and may also have a key role in maintaining medical histories on each student within their respective IEPs (Individualized Education Programs).

They work effectively with administrators, teachers and/or therapists to ensure students receive what they need in order to reach their academic and functional goals.

Special education aides maintain confidentiality at all times, protecting the privacy of each student’s disability status and IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) as well as adhering to all privacy policies/regulations in place within their school district.

They help with classroom clean-up and putting away classroom materials and equipment or assist in cleaning the classroom environment.

The special education aide work description may also involve keeping a log of students’ progress and achievements on a daily, weekly, monthly and/or annual basis.

It also entails arranging for field trips, transportation or adult accompaniment for students needing these services.

They work well with other professionals, including classroom teachers, therapists and school administrators by immediately resolving concerns in a timely manner.

The special education aide may be in charge of making appointments (i.e., speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc.); scheduling sessions, and maintaining their calendars.

They may also be asked to coordinate transport between school and home as needed.

Special education aides will have a role in in-service training and requirements, including assisting with lead sheets and field trip plans, and any other information provided by district administrators or classroom teachers.

This is to ensure all students with disabilities receive easy access to appropriate level of support in their schools.

Special Education Aide Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The special education aide job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Providing support with adaptive technology (such as a computer screen reader)
• Providing support with vocational skills (such as printing on a computer printer)
• Making copies of books, drawings or other materials for students
• Safely transporting students in wheelchairs and/or strollers
• Translating messages from classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, aides, therapists and parents
• Assisting with student seating
• Removing and disposing of soiled clothing items
• Maintaining a clean environment (clean plastic tablecloths, wiping down equipment)
• Providing assistance with moving students to classrooms during large-group activities
• Keeping supplies organized within the special ed classroom (such as small plastic bins for scissors, paste and crayons)
• Maintaining a food and drink schedule
• Interpreting class gestures and body language for non-verbal students
• Helping to maintain student confidentiality
• Attending meetings with parents and school professionals to discuss student progress.

Special Education Aide Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as a special education aide or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can create a compelling Professional Experience section for your resume by applying the sample special education aide job description above.

You can express the duties and responsibilities you have performed or are currently carrying out as a special education aide in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones in the special education aide job description example above.

This will show to the recruiter/employer that you have been successful performing the duties and responsibilities of a special education aide, which can significantly enhance your chances of getting hired, especially if the new position that you are applying for requires someone with some special education aide work experience.

Special Education Aide Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are important requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired for the special education aide job:

• Minimum age of 19 years old
• At least 18 credits in progress, with a grade point average of 3.0 or above, from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of
• Graduated from high school or have passed the GED (General Educational Development) test
• Possess valid driver’s license
• Willing to provide a fingerprint as part of a background check process
• Ability to successfully complete an approved law enforcement administered drug test
• Completed training in safety, using medical equipment, emergency procedures, and assistive technology used by special ed students
• Ability to meet all requirements of the school district
• Completed Level 1-5 in the National Ready Reference Training Program (NRRTP).

Special Education Aide Salary

According to Glassdoor, the national average compensation for a special education aide in the United States is $36,841 per year.

Conclusion

The special education aide is an extremely important member of the special education team.

The job duties and responsibilities of a special education aide are very diverse and vary by state, school district, and professional setting.

Being familiar with your school district’s policies and procedures will give you an advantage in securing a position as a special education aide.

It is advisable to network with other experienced special education aides who can help guide you through the interviewing process and offer advice on which school districts are best to work for, etc.

This post is helpful to individuals interested in the special education aide career.

They will be able to learn all they need to know about the duties and responsibilities performed by special education aides to decide if that is the right career for them.

It is also useful to recruiters/employers in making a detailed job description for the special education aide position, for use in finding competent people to hire for the role.