Addressing the Widespread Shortage of Special Education Teachers

ADDRESSING THE WIDESPREAD SHORTAGE OF

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS

Th ere are 553 independent school districts in Minnesota. In January 2022, Indeed.com listed 543 active job postings that included “special education teacher” in the title. While it may be surprising to some, this shortage is not unique to Minnesota, and it is not new. According to Learning Disabilities Association Minnesota, 49 states report special education teacher shortages. “Th ere has been a shortage of special education teachers for as long as I can remember,” said Dana Wagner, graduate program coordinator for the Special Education Department. Special Education Department Chair Aaron Deris, and faculty members Dana Wager and Kiersten Hensley discussed the shortage and Minnesota State Mankato’s eff orts to prepare special education professionals.

WHY IS THERE SUCH A WIDESPREAD SHORTAGE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS?

Th e group shared a collection of theories: It is hard work. Special education teachers are more than classroom teachers. Th e work is sometimes undervalued as teachers also serve as advocates, coordinators, and counselors. Individual education plans for each student mean special education teachers have signifi cantly more paperwork than other teachers. For some districts, special education teacher turnover is twice as high as general education teachers. Indeed, the profession of special educators is challenging; however, it is not all doom and gloom and burnout. Nor is it reserved for only a few especially patient and passionate educators. Th e work can be diffi cult, but it is equally rewarding. Special education teachers report feeling a sense of accomplishment when their students learn something new, and their confi dence grows. Th ey enjoy connecting students with the resources to help them be successful. And parents appreciate having their child’s teacher as an advocate.

WHAT IS MINNESOTA STATE MANKATO DOING TO HELP ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE?

With more than 900 enrollees, Minnesota State Mankato’s College of Education has the largest teacher preparation program in the state. Deris explained some of Minnesota State Mankato’s eff orts to help address the shortage. “We continue to expand the preparation areas in which graduates can seek licensure as well as to secure scholarship dollars for students pursuing special education,” he said. “One of the more signifi cant eff orts includes off ering the undergraduate special education courses online.” Special education graduate program courses have been available 100 percent online since 2016; it has been very successful. In 2019, the undergraduate program also began off ering an online option.

ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS INCLUDES OFFERING THE UNDERGRADUATE SPECIAL EDUCATION COURSES ONLINE.

Hensley said the online option for undergraduate students has been a game-changer for many. She stressed, “The online program expectations and coursework are exactly the same as the in-person option. The online option allows people working as special education paraprofessionals to more easily continue working while also pursuing a teaching degree.” The program was immediately popular. “Without any advertising, we have 22 people in this year’s online cohort. And the online option seems to be attracting a more diverse group of students,” said Hensley. It is expected the program will soon be full. “Our capacity is 25,” she said, “and at least four districts have contacted us asking about offering the program specifically for their staff.”

HOW HAVE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS ADAPTED TO THE ABRUPT CHANGES FORCED BY THE PANDEMIC?

There is no one way special education is being delivered. Some districts chose to stay in-person, some use a hybrid of in-person and online, some are 100 percent online. In the online special education teacher preparation cohorts, students—many who are working in the field—share resources and strategies they use in their districts. In addition, all Mankato’s special education faculty are experienced classroom teachers and are well-versed in helping teacher candidates prepare for changing circumstances. “In some ways, special education teachers may have been better prepared for the pandemic,” said Wagner. “The essence of special education is to identify individual needs and figure out what is not working, adjusting one variable at a time to find what works. That training has helped some be better prepared to adjust to an online environment.” Like a good classroom teacher, the Special Education Department at Minnesota State Mankato will continue to be responsive to the needs of the people they serve: pre-K-12 students with disabilities, parents of those students, teacher candidates, and districts who hire their graduates. For more information about the Special Education Department, contact Department Chair Aaron Deris at aaron.deris@mnsu.edu

Minnesota State Mankato's special education department offers coursework to prepare candidates for licensure in the following special education areas:

• Academic and Behavioral

Strategist • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Development Disabilities • Early Childhood • Emotional Behavioral Disorder • Learning Disabilities

Special Education Professor Kiersten Hensley meeting with students.