Solutions to Bridging the Gap in Special Ed

There is a shortage of special education teachers in public schools, leading to larger class sizes and difficulties in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. Increasing pay for special education teachers and mandating dual degrees in special education and general education for all teachers are proposed solutions. Investing in ongoing professional development for teachers is also important to support and improve special education. These measures aim to address the shortage, enhance inclusivity, and improve student performance. Today, I have chosen to talk about the vast shortage of special education teachers in public schools and how this directly affects children with special needs. This shortage often leads to larger class sizes, making it difficult for teachers to meet the diverse needs of students with various disabilities. As a result, children with special needs may experience delays in their academic progress, struggle to develop essential skills, and face barriers to full participation in inclusive learning environments. Increasing the pay for special education teachers is one solution to this problem. This emerges as a vital strategy in mitigating the persistent shortage in the education system. Some states have already implemented national bonuses and stipends as incentives to keep their staff retention due to concerns of this shortage. Unfortunately, 7 out of 23 states do not consider special education teachers eligible for these incentives. When researching higher compensation for teachers, I came across an article by Samantha Cleaver, a special needs teacher and author with a Ph.D. Cleaver talks about the benefits of increasing pay for all teachers. Teacher pay has been shown to reduce turnover, which in turn increases student performance. Turnover is about 16% each year, and 8% of teachers annually leave their profession entirely as opposed to moving to another school, states Cleaver. Increasing salary not only acknowledges the demanding nature of the role, but also enhances the retention of educators while simultaneously increasing student performance. This in total fosters a stable and proficient workforce. This proactive measure not only addresses the shortage, but also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of special education teachers in promoting inclusive and equitable education for all students. Another possible solution to this problem is mandating that all teachers obtain a degree in special education and general education. This could present a comprehensive solution to the shortage of educators available in this critical field. When researching possible outcomes of dual education degrees, I discovered an article by J. Jacob Kirksey, whom has his Ph.D. in education policy. Teachers with dual certification may have the requisite knowledge and skills to support the learning of students without disabilities, as well as know best practices for supporting students with disabilities academically, Kirksey states. By incorporating special education training into the broader teacher education curriculum, every educator would be equipped with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to effectively address the diverse needs of students with disabilities. This approach not only enhances the inclusivity of general education classrooms, but also ensures that specialized support is embedded within the educational system. A downside to this approach includes the possibility of extra schooling for teachers, as well as limited research available on the subject. However, with all teachers holding a degree in special education, the workforce becomes more adaptable, allowing for a more seamless integration of students with diverse needs into mainstream classrooms. Additionally, this strategy promotes a collaborative and inclusive educational environment where teachers collectively share the responsibility of catering to the individual needs of each student. Ultimately, requiring all teachers to acquire a degree in special education could contribute significantly to closing the gap in specialized instruction and fostering a more equitable and accessible education system. Lastly, personally I think the best way to support and improve special education is by investing in ongoing professional development for teachers and educational staff. Continuous training and professional growth opportunities ensure that educators stay updated on the latest research methodologies and best practices in the field of special education. Only seven states have implemented special education training for general education teachers, and the number of children with learning disabilities in general education classrooms are rising every day. Specialized training can cover areas such as new instructional techniques, the use of assistive technologies, behavior management strategies, and effective ways to individualize instruction for students with various disabilities. By prioritizing professional development, educators are better equipped to address the evolving needs of students with special needs, leading to more effective and inclusive teaching practices. Additionally, ongoing training fosters a supportive and collaborative culture among educators, enhancing the overall quality of special education programs and services.