Attract, Prepare, Retain Resource Database

This NIC attempts to address the problem of special education teacher shortages through a partnership between eleven specially-selected preparation programs in higher education. Members of the NIC are implementing a range of strategies, which aim to positively impact the special education teacher shortage by the Fall of 2022.

This program seeks to address teacher shortages by providing teacher candidates pursuing certification in special education, math, science, reading, or teaching English as a second language with loan repayment assistance in exchange for a minimum of two years of service in a Wyoming public school.

This bill aims to increase the teacher workforce in Wisconsin, especially in critical shortages areas such as special education, by creating a license reciprocity pathway for individuals who hold teacher licensure in another State.

This bill would create an alternative pathway for special educators in Wisconsin to become licensed by showing competency that is comparable to that of testing requirements for licensure.

This page, compiled by the West Virginia Department of Education, provides alternative certification program and partner district information for individuals seeking to earn a provisional teaching certificate in special education.

This bill supports efforts to increase teacher recruitment in high-needs areas, including special education, by awarding grants to districts to enhance professional development and offer stipends to teachers in American Indian- and Alaskan Native-concentration schools

The Texas Education Agency attempts to address teacher shortages and diversify its teacher workforce by offering competitive grants for districts to develop Grow Your Own programs aimed at attracting high school students to pursue a career in education.

This program aims to retain certified classroom teachers in designated shortage fields, including PK-12 special education, by offering up to $2,500 per year in loan repayment assistance.

This resource list compiled by the Texas Education Agency lists several programs and grants that provide financial assistance to individuals seeking teaching certification with an emphasis on alternative preparation programs.

The South Dakota Department of Education offers student loan forgiveness for teachers working in critical need geographic areas as well as critical need subject areas.

The Rhode Island Teacher Preparation Index tracks the graduation to hiring rate of educator preparation program (both traditional and alternative) graduates. Additionally, the Teacher Preparation Index also shows long-term performance reports in specific certification areas, including special education.

This grant program seeks to address speech-language pathologist shortages throughout Oregon by providing up to $10,000 in scholarships to individuals seeking licensure in speech-language pathology or audiology.

In 2019, several bills were introduced in Oklahoma that aim to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention pipelines in order to address the critical teacher shortage in the state.

This section of the Ohio Special Education Profile highlights background information and data surrounding Ohio’s special educator and related service provider shortage.This page describes several alternative teacher preparation programs in Oklahoma, with an emphasis on programs related to certification in high-needs regions and subjects.

This collection of resources from the Ohio Department of Education illustrates a variety of strategies, considerations and program exemplars related to the attraction, preparation and retention of teachers in Ohio.