COVID RELIEF FUNDING: A Guide for District Planning and Implementation to Address Educator Shortages

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) published a white paper offering guidance to districts about how to use American Rescue Plan funds to address the shortage of special educators across the nation. At least 48 states and the District of Columbia have reported shortages of special education teachers, leaving children with disabilities in a more vulnerable position as the new school year begins.

Building from the Office of Special Education Programs’ Attract, Prepare, Retain Initiative, the white paper provides strategies for recruiting new educators to the field—for example, by implementing “grow-your-own” programs that expose potential educators such as community members or high school students to careers in education.

It supports the creation of financial incentives such as fellowships, grants, or loan forgiveness programs that will make the profession accessible to more people. It also encourages programs like teacher residency and educator preparation programs that will allow future educators to be adequately equipped for opportunities within the classroom.

To retain existing educators, the paper suggests implementing evidence-based strategies to support staff’s overall wellness and improving staffing ratios.

Read the full white paper here.