Educator Shortage

Addressing the Educator Shortage

Specially Designed Instruction in Co-Teaching: Continuing the Conversation

States, districts, schools, and educator preparation programs are continuing to operate tirelessly to ensure all students are provided a high-quality education while simultaneously balancing staffing shortages greatly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent survey conducted by the National Education Association revealed that members reported they are more likely to leave the profession earlier than originally planned, that burnout is a serious problem, that they have observed more teachers leaving the profession or retiring early, and that unfilled positions have increased their workload (55%, 90%, 86%, and 80%, respectively). The reasons for teacher shortages are complex and require systemic, evidence-based strategies and strong partnerships at all stages of the career continuum.

Related Materials

eLuma

eLuma Online Therapy

eLuma provides K-12 school districts with high-quality therapy and student services to meet special education and mental health intervention needs, including IEP-based related services, tiered behavioral health solutions, and professional development.

With eLuma, you gain access to a dedicated customer success team, experienced clinicians and providers, and a secure caseload management platform to address capacity challenges, remain compliant, and empower every student to achieve their potential.

Our services help districts close staffing gaps in speech-language pathology, occupational therapy

Presence

Presence logo

At Presence, we’re transforming how special education-related services are delivered by helping schools, support staff, and students get the support they need–when and where they need it. Since 2009, we’ve partnered with 10,000+ PreK-12 schools across the U.S. as a trusted leader, offering direct therapy services and remote evaluations for speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioral and mental health counseling.

Schedule a Consultation

Learn More

LEARN Academy

LEARN Academy logo

At LEARN Academy, we transform lives through innovative, personalized special education solutions. We deliver high-quality services that empower students to reach their fullest potential, including alternative education programs, academic intervention, specialized school services, and therapeutic supports.

Our expert teams—including licensed special education teachers, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), occupational therapists (OTs), school psychologists, and board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs)—embed directly in schools to provide evidence-based instruction, therapeutic care, and hands

Policy Solutions to Address Educator Shortage

Learn how to address the educator shortage by developing an interstate compact agreement, providing support for the Praxis and State Content Exams, supporting credential flexibilities, developing a supply and demand data collection system, teacher compensation options, and more.
See details

Increased Compensation: State and District Efforts to Stabilize and Strengthen the Educator Workforce

In this session, you will hear from national experts and local practitioners about efforts across the country to reform teacher compensation, including specific actions to make the teaching profession more attractive and to retain effective teachers. Panelists will also discuss how the federal education funds (e.g., Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security [CARES] Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations [CRRSA] Act in 2020, American Rescue Plan [ARP]) can be used strategically to stabilize and strengthen the educator workforce.
See details

The Role of Teacher Residency in Strengthening and Diversifying the Special Education Workforce

In this webinar, the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) will describe the components of the residency model and share the conditions that must be present to successfully implement a residency program. NCTR’s director of state and federal policy will discuss the state and federal policies that promote, seed, and sustain teacher residencies. Webinar participants will leave the webinar with a clear understanding of the residency model and actionable next steps to explore launching a residency program to address teacher shortages, diversity, quality, and retention in their communities.
See details

Establishing a Pipeline of Future Special Educators: Using Grow-Your-Own Programs to Recruit High School Students, Career Changers, and Paraprofessionals

In this session, states and districts will learn about efforts to recruit high school students, career changers, and paraprofessionals into the profession, specifically to become special educators. The session will highlight Austin Peay State University’s apprenticeship program and Detroit Public Schools Community District’s On the Rise Academy.
See details

Share

© 2026 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). All rights reserved.