SPARC Center White Paper Underscores Special Education Staffing Challenges
The Special Educator Workforce Collaborative, in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, has released a new white paper titled "The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States." The report offers the first large-scale, longitudinal analysis of special education teacher (SET) data across Hawai'i, Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
Drawing on statewide data systems, the study uncovers persistent disparities in the size, diversity, and stability of the SET workforce—factors that directly influence educational equity and the quality of services for students with disabilities. Findings highlight significant variation among states, including shortages of certified and experienced SETs and underrepresentation of teachers of color.
The paper contends that within states, less experienced and uncertified SETs are more likely to work in schools serving higher proportions of low-income students, students of color, and English language learners. High turnover, particularly among novice and uncertified teachers, continues to undermine workforce stability and exacerbate inequities. The authors emphasize that each state faces distinct challenges and call for tailored, context-specific policy solutions to ensure that all students with disabilities have access to well-prepared, effective educators.