Consider This from NPR A Special Ed Teacher Shortage Is Getting Worse — But One Fix Is Catching On
Apr 22, 2022
Dylan Peers McCoy, a reporter at WFYI, brings attention to the urgent shortage of special education teachers across the U.S. He highlights a promising solution in Hawaii, where an increase in pay is attracting educators back to the profession. The podcast delves into the challenges faced by schools hiring untrained staff and how systemic issues exacerbate the crisis. McCoy discusses the positive ripple effects of better compensation on teacher retention and recruitment, offering insights for other struggling school districts.
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No Teacher at Start of Year
- Becky Ashcraft's daughter started school without a special education teacher, highlighting the teacher shortage.
- The school used substitutes, but a licensed teacher wasn't assigned until mid-January.
Widespread Shortage
- Special education teacher shortages are widespread, affecting nearly every state.
- This forces schools to hire underqualified staff, impacting students with disabilities.
Provisional Licenses
- To cope with the shortage, many states issue provisional licenses to underqualified teachers.
- This is like allowing someone to perform neurosurgery while taking night classes.