Covering the Aftermath: Teacher Shortages in Special Education

Teacher shortages have been a perennial issue for special education services in public schools. In the wake of the pandemic, those shortages have only worsened.  How does this issue affect the classroom for  students with disabilities and students who rely on disability services? How did schools adapt during the pandemic to continue to serve all students? What do families need?

The pressures staff face in public schools, exacerbated by the pandemic, often fall heavily on the shoulders of special education teachers. This then affects services for students who rely on individualized educational plans (IEPs).

Learn more about covering these issues during the Education Writers Association’s webinar on Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. Eastern. The online event will help beat reporters looking into special education for the first time and investigative journalists digging deeper.

Panelists will outline questions to ask school districts and families and share advice about:

• Building trust with students and their families 
• Finding public records within the confines of FERPA
• Tracking down a network of advocates, local and nationwide 
• Learning what accountability means when covering this topic