NCPSSERS is committed to providing practitioners, researchers and policymakers with useful resources, reports and data about the specialized instructional support and special education teacher shortage.
Understanding Shortages
AIR’s Teacher Shortages: Trends, Projections, and What Experts Say | AIR
Teacher shortages are widely reported across the United States. But is there more to the story? The American Institutes for Research curated briefs and reports on shortages, teacher recruitment, and preparation.
Educator Supply and Demand Report (2016-2017) | American Association for Employment in Education
This report contains detailed information from college/university respondents about candidate enrollment, job search success, and challenges facing candidates. Additionally, hiring needs and challenges from school district respondents are included.
Impact of Budget Cuts on Special Education Professionals | NCPSSERS
This report looks at the how the sequester and other budget cuts are impacting the special education and services school districts must deliver to students with disabilities.
- 82% of respondents state that there are ‘too few personnel to meet the needs of students with disabilities’ in their school district
- 78% of respondents state that budget cuts have resulted in an increase in caseload
- 61% of respondents state that budget cuts have resulted in an increase in class size
Understanding Shortages of Specialized Instructional Support Personnel: Dialogue Guide | NCPSSERS
Dialogue guide for discussion with policymakers, practitioners and educators, the general public, school administrators, and higher education programs on the issue of personnel shortages.
Shortage of Special Education Expertise Among Teachers & Higher Education Faculty | HECSE
This report looks at the shortages of special education teachers in K-12 schools, as well as special education faculty.
- 98% of the nation’s school districts report special education teacher shortages
- The demand for special educators is expected to increase by 17% through 2018
Schools Survey Report: SLP Workforce & Work Condition Trends, 2004–2020 | ASHA
This report gathers information about professional issues for speech-language pathologists in school settings from 2004 to 2018.
Schools Survey Report: Trends in Educational Audiology, 2010–2020 | ASHA
This report gathers information about professional issues for audiologists in school settings from 2010 to 2018.
National & State Personnel Data and National & State Personnel Data Briefs | PIC
Occupational Outlook Handbook | Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is an independent national statistical agency that collects, processes, analyzes, and disseminates essential statistical data relating to employment and the labor force to the American public, the U.S. Congress, other Federal agencies, State and local governments, business, and labor.
Projections Central | Projections Managing Partnership
Long- and short-term projections of occupational employment growth for all states and the nation.
Variability in Demand for Special Education Teachers: Indicators, Explanations, and Impacts |
Exceptionality
An article by Erling E. Bow, Laurie U. deBettencourt, James Dewey, Michael Rosenberg, Paul Sindelar, and Christopher Leko. The number of special education teachers has declined. The authors address some of the factors that may be contributing, including service delivery, the economy, and the number of students with disabilities on their caseloads, and supporting evidence.
U.S. Department of Education Materials
Teacher Shortage Areas, Nationwide Listing: 1990–1991 through 2014–2015 (Full Report)
2011–2012 Special Education/Related Services Personnel Shortages List (Chart)
- 23 states have a shortage of speech-language pathologists
- 14 states have a shortage of personnel to assist deaf or hearing impaired students
- 11 states are experiencing shortages of personnel to work with students with learning disabilities
- 10 states lack personnel to teach emotionally disturbed students
- 7 states do not have enough school nurses
Retention Strategies
Teacher Retention: Reducing the Attrition of Special Educators | Iris Center
This learning module addresses key factors that influence teacher turnover and retention and provides six specific actions that school leaders can implement to improve retention.
Enhancing Professional Leadership | OSEP
Promoting professional leadership is a strategy that involves formally or informally recognizing individuals who influence, mobilize, and guide personnel in their school or district and in the field itself. This leverage brief provides an overview, research, and examples on promoting leadership.
Induction and Mentoring | OSEP
Novice personnel are at the highest risk for attrition during their first 3 years in the field. Induction and mentoring address this challenge by providing strong in-service supports as personnel become acclimated to their new role. This leverage brief provides an overview, research, and examples on induction and mentorship programs.
Ongoing Professional Learning | OSEP
To increase the effectiveness of personnel, ongoing professional learning must be deeply embedded in their daily work. This leverage brief provides an overview, research, and examples on professional learning opportunities to enhance skills and practice among teachers, interventionists, educational support personnel, and specialized instructional support personnel.
Professional Empowerment | OSEP
When employees feel valued, they are more likely to stay in their positions. This leverage brief provides an overview, research, and examples on professional empowerment.
Supportive Work Environments | OSEP
Positive school climate, manageable workload, social supports from administrators, and logistical benefits characterize a supportive work environment. This leverage brief provides an overview, research, and examples on how to cultivate a supportive work environment.
Preparing and Retaining Effective Special Education Teachers: Short Term Strategies for Long Term Solutions | CEEDAR Center and the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders
Many states struggle with shortages of special education teachers (SET). To address the shortage problem in the long term, policymakers, preparation providers, and state and district administrators must ensure that any short-term strategies are combined with a comprehensive plan that includes long-term systemic strategies to strengthen the supply, preparation, and retention of special education teachers.
Using Teacher Exit Surveys to Improve Teacher Retention | Regional Education Laboratory
An article by Joni Wackwitz discussing how a teacher exit survey can help districts and schools better understand why teachers leave and better target efforts to improve retention.