Reports on Issues Related to Personnel Development National, State and Local Level

These reports reflect the array of issues related to workforce development in special education, early intervention and the related services. They will be updated and replaced periodically with more current reports that address similar issues.

Teacher Quality: Sustained Coordination among Key Federal Education Programs Could Enhance State Efforts to Improve Teacher Quality GAO-09-593, July 6, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-593

Teacher Preparation: Multiple Federal Education Offices Support Teacher Preparation for Instructing Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners, but Systematic Departmentwide Coordination Could Enhance This Assistance GAO-09-573 July 20, 2009
http://www.gao.gov/Products/GAO-09-573

Rural Districts Tackle Recruitment
The American Association of School Administrators (ASSA) and the National Rural Education Advocacy Coalition teamed up in the Fall of 2009 to identify strategies that address the unique difficulties (i.e. lower salaries, geographical isolation and lack of adequate housing) rural school districts face when recruiting special education teachers. More than half of the survey respondents pinpointed monetary incentives as the most effective strategy.

Hiring and Retaining Teachers in At-Risk Schools
Is your current hiring system tedious and time-consuming? Does it actually hamper your ability to recruit high-quality teachers for your schools most in need? The National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality (TQ Center) has issued a report providing administrators with new approaches to improving their hiring practices.

Changes to State Policies can Bolster Induction Programs
The National Center to Inform Policy and Practice in Professional Development has issued a report describing how state policy can provide a structure for successful induction practices in local education agencies (LEAs). It also defines induction as much more than mentoring. NCIPP suggests induction practices include professional development and orientation, as well as reduced teaching loads. Specific recommendations for mentoring special educators are included.

Legislative Priorities for Higher Education Consortium for Special Education
In January 2009, the HECSE made to Congress concerning the HEA. Check out the list of priorities here.