Attract, Prepare, Retain Resource Database

Inspired by competency models in nursing preparation, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University created Pathway to Practice NC, designed to help emergency licensed teachers earn their teaching certifications in numerous subject areas, including special education. This program consists of seven modules that can be completed on a flexible schedule.

LEAP is a year-long alternative preparation program that prepares educators through both virtual and face-to-face coursework, coupled with opportunities for practice, while also matching candidates with a district-based mentor. At the end of the program, candidates can test and apply for both a general and special education license.

The Multicultural Teacher Recruitment Program (MTRP) aims to address shortages of personnel of color in all Kentucky-identified shortage areas, including special education, by recruiting candidates of color at the high school, community college, and career changer level. Fiscal, coaching, assessment, and job placement supports are offered to all candidates participating in the program.

Pathways2Teaching is a concurrent enrollment grow-your-own program in which 11th and 12th grade students explore teaching as a potential career choice through weekly field experiences while earning college credits.

To address the professional development and retention of personnel, the State of Colorado has incentivized National Board Certification by providing a stipend for school-based personnel, including teachers, administrators, school counselors, and school psychologists, who have achieved national certification.

This webinar, hosted by Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic (REL Mid-Atlantic), offers an overview of four innovative initiatives that States have implemented to create partnerships between local education agencies (LEAs) and preparation programs in the region. In this webinar, several stakeholders involved in these partnerships share their lessons learned and provide suggestions to parties interested in adapting this model in their own local contexts.

The IRIS Center offers a module for school administrators and other stakeholders who seek to increase educator retention and effectiveness through comprehensive induction supports for novice special educators. This module offers various real-life exemplars, resources, and tools, concluding with an end-of-module assessment.

North Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow is a state-wide alternative preparation program in North Carolina that certifies teachers in high-needs areas, such as special education, through virtual, self-paced preparation for individuals who already hold a four-year degree in any subject.

This page highlights resources and strategies for the recruitment of related service providers for students with disabilities.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction offers several resources and archived presentations related to recruitment and retention of teachers to serve exceptional children.

This guide, created by the New York City Department of Education aims to support new hire induction and retention by providing an overview of hiring initiatives in New York, as well as onboarding guidance. This guide also includes guidance specific to prospective teachers of students with disabilities.

The Urban Teacher Academy attracts high school students to pursue a career in teaching by providing practicum experiences and exposure that focus on teaching in high poverty schools and state-identified high shortage subject areas, including special education.

This alternative licensure program aims to attract and retain special education teachers in central New Mexico by allowing teacher candidates the opportunity to co-teach with an experienced teacher while earning a first-year teacher salary and benefits and concurrently completing coursework for licensure.

This bill supports efforts to increase teacher recruitment in New Mexico by establishing Grow-Your-Own programs in high-needs areas and giving loans for educational assistance to earn licensure through these programs.

Nevada’s Coalition to Address Personnel Shortages in Special Education and Related Services created this page to assist special educators and related service providers who are seeking loan forgiveness programs and resources.