Christina A. Samuels and Alex Harwin
Originally posted by Education Week, December 5, 2018
The number of special education teachers nationally has dropped by more than 17 percent over the past decade, a worrisome trend in a career path that has seen chronic shortages for years.
Linda Jacobson
Originally posted by EducationDIVE, October 19, 2017
“In the first year of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s STEP UP and Teach program, 150 paraprofessionals enrolled in the program, which provides up to $4,800 in tuition reimbursement, professional development and guidance from a mentor as the candidates take on more teaching responsibilities in classrooms and work toward their degree. … Many [of the] paraprofessionals come from the communities where they work, which in diverse school districts can help to increase the numbers of educators who share the same race, ethnicity and home language as the students they serve.”
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Desiree Carver-Thomas
Originally posted by the Learning Policy Institute, May 16, 2017
Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia experienced shortages of special education teachers in the 2016–17 school year. As a result, school districts have filled those vacancies with underprepared teachers. Strategic investments in evidence-based programs can alleviate this perennial shortage.
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Originally posted by Teachers of Tomorrow, December 14, 2016
Experts shed some light on how to solve the United States’ teacher shortage.
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Nika Anschuetz, USA Today
Originally posted by USA Today, December 14, 2015
The nation is in need for trained and qualified special education teachers. “Special ed teachers are so in demand that those pursuing general ed might consider this: The certification makes them more marketable.”
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By Laura McKenna, The Atlantic
Originally posted by The Atlantic, September 10, 2015
“Solutions to the teacher-shortage problem must take into account its complexities; across-the-board initiatives to increase the number of education majors are unlikely to address each state’s specific set of issues. Teacher-training programs could do a better job of providing students with concrete information about the employment realities—which subject areas need teachers and which ones don’t. Given that 14 percent of 20-somethings are unemployed, that information is certainly valuable. And greater certification portability would reduce barriers to relocation, while streamlined recertification options could help teachers who struggled to find work or were laid off during the recession return to the profession.”
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By Ross Brenneman, Education Week
Originally posted by Education Week, August 6, 2015
“The most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education have in fact shown significant drops in teacher-education enrollment in many states, including in large states like Texas, New York, and California. Many experts chalk up such declines, as well as regional teacher shortages, to the Great Recession and ensuing cutbacks in public spending. Others have charged that poor teacher working conditions, such as low salaries and test-driven school cultures, are nudging existing and potential educators toward other professions, especially with the economy improving…
…Drops in education-school enrollments don’t necessarily equal shortages, though. According to data from its state education department, for instance, New York has a major surplus of certified teachers.
In shortage areas, demographic trends and school-enrollment changes tend to combine with other factors to spur greater demand for teachers…”
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By Craig Clough, LA School Report
Originally posted by the LA School Report, June 29, 2015
“Among the biggest challenges facing California school districts in the coming years is a growing teacher shortage. Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has plummeted since 2008, and more than 100,000 teachers are expected to retire in the next decade.
Despite the gathering storm, the state lacks any cohesive strategy to solving the problem, according to a new report from Bellwether Education Partners, a national non-profit that focuses on improving education, especially for high-needs students. The solution would require a “profound shift” in thinking and involve a multi-faceted approach that would bring more cohesiveness to strategies at the statewide and local level, the report finds.”
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By Christopher Magan, Pioneer Press
Originally posted by eSchool News on March 4, 2015.
“Administrators argue that Minnesota’s strict licensing requirements and union rules make it difficult to attract and retain highly effective and diverse teachers. Teachers union leaders say that state law already gives schools flexibility and that the rules Minnesota has now ensure students get the best teachers possible… As lawmakers debate ways to address the state’s teacher shortage, some worry the proposed changes could lead to risky unintended consequences.”
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By Kate McPherson
Originally posted by KTVA Alaska on December 2, 2014.
Options to attract and retain special education teachers to fill the shortage in the Anchorage School District is discussed.
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