A Qualitative Study On The Professional Survival Status Of Novice Teachers In Special Education Schools

Special education teachers are the backbone of the development of special education,while novice teachers in special schools are the new force in the development of special education.The professional survival of novice teachers in special schools has a direct impact on their continuity and motivation in special education.Therefore,paying attention to and improving the professional survival status of novice teachers in special schools is not only a life-saving care for them,but also a key to the development of special schools and an irreplaceable role in the sound development of the special education teaching force.Using a qualitative research method,four novice special school teachers were selected through purposive sampling and their professional survival status was investigated to find out the current professional survival and emotional experience of this special group.The study is divided into five main parts: the first part is the introduction,which discusses the theoretical and practical significance of the study and defines the concept of the professional survival of novice teachers in special education schools based on previous studies.the second part is a concise description of the professional survival of novice teachers in special education schools,presenting the real situation of the professional survival of the four teachers,starting from the levels of professional remuneration,workload,working environment（hard and soft environment）and professional development needs.the third part presents the common and different characteristics of the professional survival of novice teachers in special education schools,which is an in-depth analysis,summary and conclusion of the professional survival of novice teachers,and paves the way for the subsequent exploration of the factors influencing their professional survival.the fourth part is the perspective of the causes of novice teachers’ professional survival state,mainly from the subjective and objective level to explore the factors that affect the professional survival state of novice teachers.the fifth section suggests some ways to improve the professional survival of novice teachers in special education schools.The study concludes that the current professional survival of novice teachers in special schools is characterised by both ’positive trends’ and ’difficulties’.The positive aspects of the situation are that special schools have good indoor and outdoor facilities.Meanwhile,novice teachers have harmonious relationships with their peers and parents of children with special needs.What’s more,their background in special education is an advantage in their work.The "dilemmas" are low pay,disproportionate pay and reward,heavy workload,unreasonable teacher appraisal and evaluation systems,the unfamiliar relationship between novice teachers and their leaders,and the lack of teaching experience of novice teachers,which does not fully meet the needs of students’ development.All of these issues affect the professional survival of novice teachers to varying degrees and constrain their professional growth.Finally,on the basis of the analysis of the influencing factors,countermeasures to improve the professional survival of novice teachers are proposed.For individual teachers,they should strengthen their sense of professional identity,take the initiative to plan their careers,improve their professional knowledge and abilities through practice and reflection,and build good interpersonal relationships.for schools,they should optimise the induction and training of novice teachers,establish a developmental teacher appraisal system,and create a favourable atmosphere.for the government and society,they should promote special education legislation,speed up the national construction of teachers’ identity,improve the professional treatment of special education teachers,enhance their social status,and build a rich platform for teachers’ professional development,so that novice teachers can devote themselves to special education in a better state.