Nation's Special Ed Teacher Crisis Could Worsen

School systems across the country are facing a severe shortage of special ed teachers. Reasons cited by teachers include stress, burnout, and low pay.    

The US Department of Education released a report about the crisis this month. It showed that 74% of elementary and middle schools have had a hard time finding certified teachers to teach special ed students. At high schools, that figure was 66%. The report surveyed nearly 1,400 schools over two weeks in August. It showed schools had an average of six openings for special ed teachers.   

Aron Boxer told USA Today that being a special ed teacher is "rewarding." But he added that it's also "tough." Boxer is a former teacher who now runs a special ed tutoring service. “Since it's one of the more taxing jobs, teachers need to be supported.”     

Boxer said that support could come in a few forms. It could include access to mental health services. It could also include “coaching" for best practices in teaching.     

Special ed students can demand a lot from teachers. That's because each student's needs are unique. Those can range from autism to a physical or mental impairment. Federal law requires that special ed students spend as much time as possible in regular classrooms.  

Some teachers worry about changes the Trump administration could make. Trump has spoken often of getting rid of the Education Department. It's in charge of making sure that schools meet the needs of special ed students. Some argue getting rid of it will only worsen the shortage. 

Tuan Nguyen told a panel last week that without the Department of Ed, "We’re going to have a free-for-all in terms of who we’re going to put in the classroom." That's according to The74 newsletter. Nguyen is a professor at the University of Missouri.    

Reflect: How might schools create a better environment for both teachers and students?

Photo of empty classroom from Unsplash courtesy of Feliphe Schiarolli.