As the new school year begins, a significant shortage of trained special education teachers persists across much of the U.S. According to a recent U.S. Department of Education report, 39 states and Washington, D.C. are facing shortages in this area, with only a few states reporting no issues. Denise Marshall of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) notes that districts are using various strategies to address the shortage, such as reallocating resources, using temporary staff, and partnering with local organizations. Despite some improvement from last year, many districts are still struggling to fill numerous positions.
