ERIC Number: EJ1445999
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2768-1432
Ameliorating the Special Education Teacher Crisis: Systems Thinking and Innovative Approaches
Marcia L. Rock; Lisa A. Dieker; Rebecca Hines; Bonnie Billingsley; Timara Davis; Sacha Cartagena; Amanda Lannan; Annette Romualdo
Journal of Special Education Preparation, v3 n1 p8-17 2023
Chronic and pervasive special education teacher (SET) shortages have interfered with state, district, and school efforts to recruit and retain effective teachers for students with disabilities. Unfortunately, these shortages have worsened post-pandemic due to early retirements, low unemployment rates, and career changes. The purpose of this article is to provide a systems thinking (ST) framework to help stakeholders consider the complex and interacting systems in which these shortages occur (i.e., teacher preparation, district and schools, society). We consider specific elements within these systems, their interconnections, with a focus on identifying steps and ideas stakeholders can use to understand contributors to the shortage crisis, while providing strategies and innovative ideas for greater sustainability. We also offer real examples of ST solutions used within teacher education programs, schools, and other professions. To further bolster ST, we conclude with examples of innovations outside of education with ideas to bridge these concepts into potential pathways to address SET shortages.
Descriptors: Special Education, Special Education Teachers, Teacher Shortage, Teacher Recruitment, Students with Disabilities, Systems Approach, Sustainability, Educational Innovation, Stakeholders, Teacher Education Programs
Ball State University Libraries. 2000 West University Avenue. Muncie, IN 47306. Tel: 765-285-8032; e-mail: odslibs@bsu.edu; Web site: bsu.edu/library
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A