The Shifting Context of Special Education Teachers' Work and Its Relationship With Retention

• In Event: Special Educators: Attitudes, Satisfaction, and Retention

Abstract

We used 12 years of nationally representative data to examine how the roles, responsibilities, preparation, and supports available to special educators have changed over time and how these variables were associated with special educator attrition. We identified some changes in special educators’ work environment, including substantially increased use of co-teaching. Our results indicated that special educator attrition declined in recent years and this decline was primarily driven by reductions in movement between schools. Regression analysis provided little insight into the variables associated with this decline, suggesting the need for future research to examine if special educator attrition results from a complex interaction between the specific challenges of the students, the service delivery model, and the supports available to teachers.

Authors

• Allison F. Gilmour, Temple University

• Tuan D Nguyen, Kansas State University

• Christopher Redding, University of Florida

• Elizabeth A. Bettini, Boston University