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Committee hears widespread special‑education staffing shortages; DPI outlines recruitment and retention efforts
Summary
Presentations and surveys presented to the panel showed unfilled special‑education positions, heavy workloads, and retention concerns; DPI described IDEA funding allocations and targeted programs including an educator pathway, paraprofessional training, Goalbook Toolkit rollout and other supports.
Committee members received detailed testimony and survey results indicating a significant workforce shortage in special education and discussed state and local efforts to recruit and retain specialists. Legislative Council’s background materials summarized the study scope and the pressures faced by special educators, and DPI and unit directors provided staffing counts and recent program responses.
What the committee heard: Legislative Council cited a 2022‑23 figure that roughly 8.3% of special‑education positions were unfilled or staffed irregularly; DPI staff and unit directors said the true need is sometimes higher because districts make interim arrangements so a position is not reported as ‘‘open’’ on official forms. DPI’s analysis of a director survey showed growth in some categories of unmet…
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