In this Issue: Retention of Special Educators

Introduction
SPeNSE Resources on Retention of Special Educators
State Retention Initiatives
NCPSE's Research Library Resources on Retention
NCPSE's Retention Guide

Introduction

Each month Connections brings you practical information, research, and established programs and strategies for recruiting, preparing, and retaining well-qualified diverse educators and related services personnel for children and youth with disabilities. Through Connections, the Clearinghouse continues its 15 year history as a resource to aspiring teachers and professionals in the field of special education

This month the newsletter connects you to research and resources to use in developing long range plans for retention of special education teachers. Retention of special educators is a function of systemic conditions that support them, offer opportunities for their continued professional development, and provide knowledgeable supervision.

SPeNSE Resources on Retention of Special Educators

The Study of Personnel Needs in Special Education (SPeNSE) has available a Summary Sheet on Recruiting and Retaining Special Educators that offers insight into desirable conditions for retention.

SPeNSE also offers data on the intent of special educators to remain in the field of special education.

State Retention Initiatives

Retention of special education personnel is now one of the hottest topics in the field. Learn how your university program, state, or district can work collaboratively with others to keep those already committed to special education in the profession. In Oregon, a recent study conducted by the Oregon Special Education Recruitment and Retention Project at Western Oregon University surveyed special education teachers in their state as to the effectiveness of initial and ongoing support in keeping them on the job. One state that is effectively addressing teacher retention systematically is California. Their teacher support center at UC-Santa Cruz trains school district personnel in the most effective ways to retain all teachers---and it's working!

You can find more information on both of these state initiatives on our website.

In addition, CEC has its own set of mentoring guidelines for special education professionals available for download.

NCPSE's Research Library Resources on Retention

NCPSE's Online Literature Database contains 90 references on the retention of quality educators in special education, including journal articles, government reports, and presentations about this timely subject. Resources listed in the Literature Database cover such themes as the retention of minority educators, retention and technology, mentorship, teacher quality, retention programs, incentive policies, proposed solutions, guidelines and more. All entries are complete with publication abstracts and full bibliographic citations. New entries are added to the database on a regular basis.

To view references on retention in the Literature Database, simply log on to NCPSE's Research Library and select "retention" from the subject menu. Keyword searches are also possible.

NCPSE's Retention Guide

NCPSE's Retention of Special Education Professionals: A Practical Guide of Strategies and Activities for Educators and Administrators presents a compilation of information on retention of special educators obtained through discussion groups, interviews, and a written survey. The strategies identified provide a summary of retention activities that have practical application for teachers, principals, and central office administrators. Classroom professionals, school-based administrators, and district administrators can use this publication as a guide to stimulate thought and discussion regarding the application of retention strategies within their schools.

Retention of Special Education Professionals: A Practical Guide of Strategies and Activities for Educators and Administrators is available online or can be ordered from NCPSE by emailing ncpse@cec.sped.org .

The National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education is the descriptive title for the National Clearinghouse on Careers and Professions Related to Early Intervention and Education for Children with Disabilities Cooperative Agreement H326P980002 between the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Exceptional Children. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of either the U. S. Department of Education or the Council for Exceptional Children. This information is in the public domain, unless otherwise indicated. Readers are encouraged to copy and share it, but please credit the National Clearinghouse for professions in Special Education. U. S. Department of Education Project Officer Martha B. Bokee