Each year, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) conducts a Symposia Series to provide high-quality, timely, and evidence-based strategies focused on improving performance in a specific topic. The 2019 OSEP Symposia Series focused on strategies to attract, prepare, and retain effective personnel -- general and special education teachers, early childhood personnel, and related services providers -- who have the knowledge and skills needed to provide effective instruction, interventions, supports, and services to children with disabilities. This is a topic that not only impacts every state but also disproportionately effects children with disabilities and their families due to the many unfilled positions and high attrition rates among special education teachers, early childhood personnel, and related services providers. The 2019 OSEP Symposia Series explored the factors contributing to personnel shortages in special education, early intervention, early childhood special education, and related services; highlight current research on this topic; and explore promising practices that are making a difference in programs, districts, and states.
Symposium 1: April 8, 2019 focused on strategies for Preparing Personnel to Serve Children with Disabilities.
Symposium 2: May 15, 2019 focused on strategies for Retaining Effective Personnel to Serve Children with Disabilities.
Symposium 3: August 14, 2019 will focus on strategies for Attracting Personnel to Serve Children with Disabilities.