The federal government has many laws and regulations to ensure every school-age child has access to free, fair education. However, children in special education courses sometimes fall behind, not due to a lack of effort but support. Such underscores the ongoing nationwide shortage of special education teachers and staff, thus putting millions of student children at risk. One state seeks to institute a dramatic turnaround in turnover with hopes its model can assist others in achieving the best education for children.

Georgia Addresses Special Education Teacher Shortage

An investigation revealed that the state's special education teachers suffered an alarming 20 percent turnover rate. Analysis showed that overwhelming caseloads were the most significant issue. To combat the growing problem, education stakeholders came together to form a state-wide program, beginning with a federal grant to invest in special education teacher induction and mentoring.

After multiple years of implementation, officials are optimistic about the future of the effort between localities and institutions of higher education. As leaders in other states look for ways to boost special education teacher retention, Georgia's model demonstrates the importance of examining local challenges, targeting specific solutions, and building valuable partnerships to assemble a system-wide stronghold. Until then, special education teachers in many other states will continue to experience burnout, which puts a student's future at risk.

Your Student Child Has a Right to a Free Education

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child with an eligible disability has access to a free appropriate public education. Early intervention services are available for those until they reach matriculation and can receive support services until age 21—22 in some states. For instance, services are offered to students with disabilities that include but are not limited to:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Autism
• Chronic emotional distress
• Hearing impairment
• Learning disabilities
• Physical limitations
• Speech or language impairment
• Vision damage

Therefore, students with nearly any disability can gain a worthwhile education and participate in everything a school-age child can. While federal resources ensure the beforementioned, when special education teachers are overworked with caseloads, students with disabilities suffer in achieving their academic goals.

What You Should Do When Your Special Education Student

As a parent, you seek only the best for your child, and just because states have high turnover rates for special education teachers doesn't mean your student has to fall behind. If the lack of proper legally-required support services affects your family, get in touch with the Lento Law Firm today.

The Lento Law Firm is well-versed in Education Law and how federal IDEA regulations require schools to serve each and every student. Its Education Law Team has helped thousands of special education students across the country achieve academic success despite the need for more personnel than a state or jurisdictional program has to give. Contact the Lento Law Firm online or call 888-535-3686 to get assistance. Ensure that you're protected against special education teacher and personnel shortages, and your student can graduate into a bright future.