Kansas Special Education Teacher Guide
Everything you need to know about becoming a special education teacher in Kansas: licensing requirements, continuing education, salary data, and key resources. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your license, this is your complete Kansas guide.
Professional Development for Special Education Teachers
Professional development for special education teachers in Kansas is not optional, it is built into the license renewal system, and with 14% of Kansas students identified as having disabilities (one point above the national average), the demand for well-trained, continuously growing disability educators across the state’s 293 districts has never been stronger.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in Kansas
Kansas certifies disability educators through the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) under two distinct license tracks: High-Incidence (supporting students with mild to moderate disabilities in push-in or pull-out settings) and Low-Incidence (supporting students with significant disabilities in resource rooms or high-support environments). Candidates must complete a KSDE-approved educator preparation program, pass the required Praxis exams, and apply through the Kansas Licensure Application System (KLAS).
Kansas uses a tiered licensure structure: the Initial License (2-year) transitions to the Professional License (5-year) after one year of teaching experience and completion of KSDE’s two-year mentoring program. Note that in Kansas, a High-Incidence license must be earned before pursuing Low-Incidence certification.
Explore how Kansas compares to other states: Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Become a NASET Member today to get instant access to almost 80 CTLE-eligible PD courses!
Continuing Education & License Renewal in Kansas
Kansas ties license renewal directly to a structured professional development system managed by local Professional Development Councils (PDCs). Teachers must complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) pre-approved by their district PDC before beginning any coursework; credits or activities completed outside an approved IDP may not count toward renewal.
PDC point requirements depend on degree level. Teachers with a bachelor’s degree need 160 PDC points (including at least 80 from college credit) per renewal cycle. Teachers with a graduate degree need 120 PDC points or 8 college credit hours. One semester credit hour equals 20 PDC points, making graduate coursework the most efficient path for most educators.
Kansas processes PD credit at the district level through each district’s PDC. NASET courses are eligible for submission to your district using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014 as documentation of quality.
Become a NASET Member today and save 15% on your Board Certification in Special Education, which is the gold standard credential for special ed teachers nationwide!
Special Education Teacher Salary in Kansas
Salary Overview
- Kansas disability educators earn a median salary of approximately $51,065–$51,230 annually, based on Salary.com and BLS data.
- Top earners with advanced degrees and additional endorsements can reach $63,000 or more per year.
Job Market
- Special education is a designated shortage area in Kansas, creating consistent career advancement opportunities across all 293 districts.
- Graduate-level coursework that counts toward PDC renewal points also moves teachers up the district pay scale, making professional development a direct path to improved earning potential.
Professional Development for Special Education Teachers in Kansas
Professional development for special education teachers in Kansas serves a dual purpose: it fulfills the PDC renewal requirement and builds the specialized knowledge that disability educators need to serve students effectively. Eligible PD activities include college coursework, district workshops, conferences, curriculum development projects, action research, and participation in professional learning communities.
KSDE requires that PD activities align with the educator’s approved IDP and address areas relevant to their certification. For disability educators, this often means coursework in IEP development, behavioral intervention, assessment, transition planning, or disability-specific instruction strategies. NASET’s course library covers all of these areas and is designed specifically for educators in this field.
Two NASET resources are particularly valuable for Kansas educators building a PD plan. The What Every Special Educator Must Know guide provides a foundation for reflective professional practice, while the NASET professional resources library offers practical tools that complement any PD plan.
Become a NASET Member today and earn the certifications that move you up the salary schedule, trusted by special educators across the country!
Key Resources for Kansas Special Education Teachers
State Resources:
- Kansas State Department of Education — Special Education
- KSDE Teacher Licensure and KLAS Portal
- NASET Forms, Checklists & Procedures for Special Educators
- What Every Special Educator Must Know (PDF)
- NASET Assessment in Special Education Series
- NASET Landmark Cases in Special Education
- NASET IEPs from Around the Country
- Complete State-by-State Special Education Teacher Guide
Advance Your Career With NASET
NASET offers the most comprehensive professional development library built specifically for disability educators — covering IEP development, behavioral strategies, assessment, transition planning, and more.
The Membership gives you instant access to nearly 80 professional development courses, publications, and tools — all submittable to your Kansas district for PDC renewal credit using AUN# 300003228 or CPE# 910014.
The Board Certified Special Educator (BCSE) is the nationally recognized credential for career advancement in this field. Members receive 15% off all certifications.
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