Cheryl Bost, president of the Maryland State Education Association, highlighted the urgent need for reform in special education during the Blueprint Special Education Workgroup meeting on February 28, 2024. Bost emphasized that special education has emerged as a top priority among educators across the state, reflecting widespread concerns about staffing shortages and overwhelming workloads.

The meeting featured a presentation by Adam Mendelson, who shared findings from focus groups and a quantitative poll conducted with special education professionals. Key issues identified included high levels of stress, feelings of being unheard, and significant challenges related to paperwork and caseload management. Participants expressed a strong desire for solutions that would alleviate these burdens, including increased pay, reduced paperwork, and more planning time.

Mendelson noted that the top priority among surveyed educators was increasing salaries for special educators, followed closely by reducing paperwork and providing additional planning days. The discussions revealed a consensus on the need for a more user-friendly IEP management system and better communication between various educational platforms to minimize redundant work.

Bost concluded the meeting by encouraging educators to actively participate in the solution-making process, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by special education professionals. The workgroup aims to develop actionable recommendations that will enhance the support provided to both educators and students in Maryland's special education system.