Shortage of Special Education Teachers

Over the past ten years, there has been a troubling decline of more than 17 percent in the number of special education teachers across the nation. This disconcerting trend exacerbates the chronic shortages that have plagued this career path for years.

An analysis conducted by the Education Week Research Center, based on federal data, reveals that while the count of special education teachers has been decreasing, the number of students with disabilities has only seen a 1 percent decrease during the same period. Interestingly, the number of teachers across all disciplines has slightly increased over the past decade, along with a rise in overall enrollment.

Data from the 2015-16 school year, showed there was, on average, one special education teacher for every 17 students with disabilities. This ratio places a greater number of special education students under the care of each special educator compared to the overall teacher-student ratio, which has remained relatively steady at approximately 1 teacher to 16 students over the past ten years.

Effects in Classrooms

This shortage has tangible effects at the school level. Many special education teachers must manage large classes of students with a variety of disabilities. This includes teenagers with emotional or behavioral issues, specific learning disabilities, and physical challenges, all grouped together.

The shortage of special education teachers also, highlights the difficulty of securing substitute teachers for special education classrooms. The limited substitute pool tends to opt for less demanding assignments, such as Advanced Placement or regular education classes.

Finding Qualified Educators

Federal statistics underscore not only a shortage in terms of quantity but also a “quality shortage.” This refers to a relatively high percentage of special education teachers within a state who are not fully qualified.

Nationwide, nearly 95 percent of special educators have been classified as highly qualified on average over the past five years. However, some states report much lower percentages. For instance, in Kansas, only around 70 percent of special education teachers are considered highly qualified. Colleen Riley, the state’s director of special education, attributes this to decreased school funding, which increases demands across the educational environment, putting added pressure on teachers.

Alternative certification programs have become a popular avenue for addressing the shortage by placing teachers in classrooms while they earn their special education teaching credentials. However, the effectiveness of this approach can vary, as some programs may not adequately prepare teachers for the unique demands of special education classrooms.

Special Educator Retention

Retaining existing special education teachers is just as crucial as recruiting new ones. Mentorship and professional development opportunities play a pivotal role in this aspect.

Many special education teachers feel unsupported by administrators and colleagues. They often lack the necessary tools, resources, and physical space to effectively carry out their roles. While these challenges are not universal, they are prevalent enough to cast a shadow over the profession.

There is a need for school principals and district administrators to actively consider how they can improve the special education teaching experience within their institutions. By addressing these concerns and providing a supportive environment, the field of special education teaching can become more attractive and sustainable.

A comprehensive approach involving recruitment, training, policy changes, and ongoing support are needed to ensure that special education teachers are equipped to provide the best possible education to students in need.

This post was based on an article produced by Education Week, a nonprofit, independent news organization with comprehensive pre-K-12 news and analysis. Read the original post here.