Special Education

Special Education and the Teacher Shortage

An online search for “teacher shortage” will quickly return nearly 2 million new results. Each day yields more headlines about school districts who struggle to hire enough teachers — two-thirds of school districts we surveyed in 2021 said they were experiencing a teacher shortage, more than any previous year. Among those districts reporting shortages, special […]

Special Education

Why Do Special Education Teachers Quit?

Why did you choose a career in special education? is one of my favorite questions to ask when I interview teachers because it usually prompts an immediate brightening of the eyes and a smile. And, let’s face it, that kind of enthusiasm is catchy! Yet, more and more, special education teachers are leaving the field. […]

Special Education

5 Ways to Reduce Burnout for Special Education Teachers

When I became principal for a specialized school with various sites throughout a borough in New York City, one of my first priorities was to develop a plan of action to better support my special education staff. Here’s why: At the time, I was struggling in my newly assigned school. I had just hired two […]

Special Education

Podcast: Deep Dive into the Special Education Teacher Shortage

    The word is out — special education in the U.S. is experiencing a severe teacher shortage, and recent data about the shortage speaks loudly: Forty-eight states plus the District of Columbia have identified shortages of teachers in special education and related services.[1] Half of all schools and 90% of high-poverty schools are struggling […]

Talk Data to Me

A data-centric view on the challenges facing school districts

Recruiting & Hiring

Talk Data to Me: Hire Rates

According to a 2021 Frontline survey, about two-thirds of over 1,200 school and district administrators reported having a teacher shortage. Some districts experienced the teacher shortage worse than others. About half of the respondents reported difficulty filling jobs across all grade levels and subjects while the other half felt the effects of the shortage in […]

Teacher Absences & Subs

Talk Data to Me: Trends in Absence Management and Substitute Pools

Troubled by substitute shortages and low fill rates? You’re not alone. These are challenges faced by many districts, and for good reason. Substitute management is no walk in the park: a lot of different elements go into maintaining and managing a healthy substitute pool.   To overcome the challenges associated with the substitute shortage, districts […]

Recruiting & Hiring

Talk Data to Me: The State of the Instructional Teacher Shortage

The Frontline Research and Learning Institute recently published a research brief called “The State of the Instructional Teacher Shortage”. Following a basic supply and demand economic model, the analysis investigates the quantity of candidates applying for jobs (supply) as well as the availability of open positions (demand). Trends show changes to both sides of the […]

Student Data

Talk Data to Me: Supporting the Health Needs of Students and Staff

In early April, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said that schools should be reopened and “full-fledged in person” come fall 2021, regardless of vaccination status. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona echoed this in early May, saying that he expects a full return for all students in the fall. With most states no longer placing restrictions on school […]

Front & Center

A series showcasing various leaders in the K-12 space