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Retaining Special Education Teachers in Nebraska: A Comprehensive Retention Program (NCRP)
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Amanda Witte
Co-Principal Investigators: HyeonJin Yoon
Award Date: Sep 1, 2925
End Date: Aug 31, 2026
Abstract
Delivering high-quality special education instruction to students with special needs depends on the availability of specially trained teachers with appropriate backgrounds, credentials and certifications. Unfortunately, special education staff shortages are a growing problem, in Nebraska and nationally, which leaves many students with special needs at further risk for compromised educational outcomes.
This project aims to address Nebraska's need to retain special education teachers across the career continuum and at every level of experience.
Researchers will create a systematic statewide program to address special education teacher retention and ultimately teacher shortages by collaborating with consultants, stakeholders, education service units (ESUs) and local school districts to implement, scale and test a comprehensive special education teacher retention plan.
The team will:
- Develop a comprehensive retention plan that includes a leadership academy for administrators and a mentoring program for early career teachers;
- Develop a system for collecting and reporting statewide special education teacher retention data;
- Implement, test and refine a comprehensive retention plan;
- Scale-up the retention plan to schools statewide; and
- Foster retention plan sustainability through partnerships and infrastructure changes.