California Department of Education, Special Education Division’s special project, California Services for Technical Assistance and Training (CalSTAT) is funded through a contract with the Napa County Office of Education. CalSTAT is partially funded from federal funds, State Grants #H027A080116A. Additional federal funds are provided from a federal competitively awarded State Personnel Development Grant to California (#H323A070011) provided from the U.S. Department of Education Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education act (IDEA). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the U. S. Department of Education.
1st Statewide Recruitment Plan
Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning (CFTL) reports critical shortage of special education teachers (also math and science teachers)
CA Strategic Action Plan for Recruitment, Preparation, and Retention of Special Education Personnel (Plan, p.24)
Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) Leadership Team created to monitor implementation of CA Strategic Plan
New research tells us that working conditions, school climate, and administrative support have a critical impact on teacher retention in CA.
CA Strategic Plan Activities Link to STATE PERFORMANCE PLAN Improvement
Indicators:
# 3 STATEWIDE ASSESSMENT
(Improved teacher retention impacts
student achievement and participation)
# 5 LRE
(Improved working conditions and collaborative relationships between special ed. and general ed. teachers mean greater meaningful opportunities for students with disabilities in the general education classroom)
# 8 PARENT INVOLVEMENT
(Improved school climate means increased parent involvement)
# 14 POST - SCHOOL TRANSITION
(Improved administrative support means greater opportunities for post school transition options for all students)
“Only together can we build a brighter future to improve special education personnel quality and supply.” (Plan, p. 25)
Only together can we recruit, prepare, and retain teachers for California’s schools by improving working conditions, school climate, and administrative support.