Attract

In this DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) video, Building the Special Education Pipeline, leaders in educator preparation consider comprehensive approaches to increasing the pool of highly qualified special education teachers through enhanced, culturally responsive practices for recruitment , preparation, and retention.

This issue brief from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education provides detailed information about degree trends since 2009–10 in teaching specialties, which the U.S. Department of Education has identified as in high demand around the country, including special education, mathematics and science education, teaching English as a second language, and foreign language education.

This article describes efforts by a school district in Arkansas to attract special education teachers by offering a $4,500 signing bonus over 3 years, in addition to a $2,500 annual stipend.

This program from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission offers tuition exemptions for up to 250 students seeking initial licensure in special education at an accredited Illinois university. This program will exempt candidates from paying tuition and mandatory fees at an eligible institution for up to four calendar years, given they commit to teach in Illinois in the field of special education.

The Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) offers tuition reimbursement grants to Arkansas teachers and administrators. Teachers and administrators may apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses paid for up to six college credit hours completed for each academic year, not to exceed $3,000.

TeachPalmBeach is a social media campaign that helps attract prospective teachers by highlighting success stories of local teachers who have made differences in their communities.

Created by Seattle Public Schools, #teachseattle is a campaign to raise awareness for local teaching opportunities and routes to certification. The campaign also promotes recruitment activities through social media.

Teach NOLA is an alternative preparation program in which teacher candidates receive rigorous coaching while completing preservice training and additional certification coursework during their first year in service.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education offers individuals who already hold a four-year degree a 150-hour alternative certificate program, known as "Boot Camp", to obtain a provisional certificate to teach in the area of mild to moderate or severe to profound disabilities. The program includes 120 hours of pedagogy training and culminates in 30 hours of field experience.

For individuals already employed in an approved special education setting, the Utah Special Education and Rehabilitation Department offers three alternative teacher preparation programs. The programs include courses required for licensure to work with students with mild or moderate and severe disabilities and with preschool children with disabilities in districts across the state.