Critical Issue #3: Best Practices in Recruitment and Retention of Special Education-related Personnel

There was an intersting teacher survey reported on 3/3 in the Washington Post sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that said that supportive leadership often trumps performance pay or salary incentives to help retain staff. So we know that even though principals have alot on their plates, supportive leadership is critical for a successful school.

Unfortunately, I missed the webinar, but just went through the slides. I would have loved to have heard the presentation. As you made clear, principals have a huge impact on student achievement through the culture and infrastructure of the school and, importantly, through the teachers. While everyone is familiar with the demands on a teacher (25+ totally different students with strengths and deficits in different areas; paperwork demands; etc.), I'm not sure how familiar people are with the huge range of roles and responsibilities principals have on them. Beyond knowing special education regulations, principals must be managers of budget, grounds, etc as well as their most important job of instructional leader. Many principals don't feel well prepared to do both. Policy-type changes in higher education, professional standards, evaluation, in-service support can help alleviate these issues. Recently, we (Project Forum & NIUSILeadScape) held a forum on this topic (principal preparedness to serve students with disabilities). The proceedings document can be found at www.projectforum.org through the search engine. What thoughts do others have about how to alleviate the problems of principals with too much on their plates?

We would also encourage you to share some of your best ideas for supporting and retaining special education teachers. George Ann Rice

Let us hear from you on what you think are the most critical issues facing the building principal in supporting special education and related services personnel.

Phoebe Gillespie PIC Director

Greetings colleagues:

All this week, the Personnel Improvement Center is hosting a "blog-a-thon" to encourage our constituents to discuss their issues related to principal supports for special educators and related service providers at the building level. Please tell us about your challenges, barriers and possible solutions to the high attrition rates for this population of personnel and what principals can do to support them.

We look forward to this timely discussion!

Phoebe Gillespie PIC Director

Our national recruitment coodinator can help you locate resources for finding a job in special education, early intervention and the related service professions. Contact Michele Hopkins @ 1-866-BECOME1 or info@personnelcenter.org. Also check out our employment page at http://www.personnelcenter.org/seekers.cfm

I am an intervention specialist with 10 years full-time experience in working with mild to moderate learning disabled. I am looking for a job NOW!!!! Can you direct me in the right direction? I would like to work near Dayton, Ohio (in southwestern Ohio). I have references and a resume.