The Role of Dissemination in Ameliorating the Special Education Workforce Crisis and Advancing Social Justice

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Preparing and Retaining Transformative Special Education Teachers

Abstract

Approximately 51% of all school districts and 90% of high poverty school districts report difficulty attracting qualified special education teachers (SETs) (NCPSSERS, 2014). And SETs have been identified as among the highest areas of teacher need (American Association for Employment in Education [AAEE], 2011). This paper presents processes from a recent AERA- funded research mini-conference, through which researcher and organizational stakeholders convened, to engage in new ways of thinking, investigating, and overcoming the longstanding special education workforce crisis. The paper reviews relevant dissemination literature and presents findings aimed at ameliorating shortages and advancing social justice, in part, through an integrated framework.

Authors

• Marcia L. Rock, University of North Carolina - Greensboro

• Melinda Leko, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Bonnie S. Billingsley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Lisa Dieker, University of Central Florida

• Diane M Ryndak, University of North Carolina - Greensboro