Although the teacher education shortage is at an all-time high across the United States, particularly in the field of Special Education, an innovative, multitiered approach can help colleges and universities address this scarcity. Teacher preparation programs can bolster their recruitment, training, and delivery of high-quality special educators…

Through special education teacher education, the preparation, support, and ultimately retention of highly qualified special educators is made possible with systematically designed field experiences. Tailored field experiences and supervision ensure candidates are equipped to meet the increasing demands of the field and have the requisite tools for…

Chronic and pervasive special education teacher (SET) shortages have interfered with state, district, and school efforts to recruit and retain effective teachers for students with disabilities. Unfortunately, these shortages have worsened post-pandemic due to early retirements, low unemployment rates, and career changes. The purpose of this…

After more than 20 years of a critical shortage in special education teachers, this mid-Atlantic state expedited program development for undergraduate-level teacher preparation programs. To meet the accelerated timeline, one program at a large public university used its graduate-level coursework as a model for the undergraduate level program.…

This article provides an overview of two innovative "Grow your Own" (GYO) pathways to teacher preparation. These pathways include authentic partnerships between an institute of higher education (IHE) and school districts, who actively plan and work together to recruit, prepare, and retain special educators. These pathways specifically…

Mentorship has been identified as a protective factor in early career special education teacher retention. These mentorships can be formal or informal during teachers' first years of teaching and can support teachers in various aspects of their careers, such as navigating required paperwork and instructional practices. However, these mentorships…

The well-documented special education teacher shortage in the U.S. has significant negative consequences for students with disabilities who require specially designed instruction from special education teachers. To address this shortage, special education teacher preparation programs should explore innovative approaches to recruiting and training…

To address local and the national teacher shortage, one college has launched the Build the Teacher Pipeline Initiative. The initiative is designed as a four-pronged, wraparound approach to not only recruit new teachers but also empower educators in elementary, secondary, and special education positions. The article outlines the goals and…

To address the national teacher shortage, the federal government has permitted alternative route preparation programs in an attempt to increase the supply of licensed teachers. Alternative route (AR) programs vary by state, but generally aim to train teacher candidates who do not have a traditional education preparation background to fulfill…

Colorado has a significant shortage of special education teachers, particularly within rural areas. This article will compare two grant-funded recruitment and training projects drawing connections from the current research base in training and retention. High-Leverage Practices were infused into these projects to support authentic assistive…

Discussing the topic of special education teacher shortages across the United States has become commonplace. Although more widespread, special education teacher shortages in rural areas have gained less attention. Teachers in these areas face unique challenges such as overcoming geographic barriers to providing high-quality services, the isolation…

For years, there has been a shortage of educators qualified to teach students with disabilities. The effect this has on student outcomes is immeasurable. To overcome this shortage, universities are searching for ways to enroll more students into their special education programs, ensure these graduates are prepared for long-term employment, and arm…