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Why Special Educators Leave and How Leaders Can Keep Them: A Guide for Principals and System Leaders

If we want better outcomes for students with disabilities, we have to retain the educators who are committed to expanding inclusive learning environments. Yet entering this school year, public schools again reported that special education was among the hardest roles to staff; 74% of elementary and middle schools struggled to fill teacher vacancies, with special education positions among the most challenging to fill, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. That’s not an isolated blip — it’s a pattern we’ve seen for years, with special education consistently ranking as one of the top shortage areas nationwide.  In October, the Center for Learner Equity (CLE), in partnership with the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association (NJPCSA), released a practical Action Guide for system and school leaders who are ready to move from worry to work. This resource focuses squarely on supporting and retaining special education teachers — because if school leaders can better understand the root causes of why special educators leave their jobs, then we can take action to help these teachers stay. Download the guide here: CLE NJ Special Educators Brief_0925_V4_FINAL Read our Blog Post here.  

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Key Trends in Special Education in Public Schools (2021-22)

CLE’s Analysis of the Civil Rights Data Collection The Center for Learner Equity is proud to release our sixth secondary analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC)’s January 2025 release, this time regarding the 2021-2022 school year. We have prepared two reports that offer an in-depth look at the experiences of students with disabilities in public charter schools and traditional public schools. Our analyses of CRDC data continue to reveal persistent disparities in enrollment, disciplinary practices, and access to college preparatory opportunities for students with disabilities. In our “Fast Facts” brief, we examine national trends in enrollment, placement, discipline, and postsecondary access for students with disabilities in both traditional and charter public schools. We also offer a separate brief on the topic of specialized charter schools, where we explore the growth and characteristics of charter schools that specialize in educating students with disabilities. CLE continues to urge elected officials and the U.S. Department of Education to protect and invest in the Civil Rights Data Collection. This data is critical to national transparency around protecting students' civil rights, informing inclusive policies, and ensuring all students with disabilities receive the opportunities and supports they deserve. Key Findings [...]
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Key Trends in Special Education in Public Schools (2020-21)

CLE’s Analysis of the Civil Rights Data Collection In September 2024, the Center for Learner Equity (CLE) completed its fifth analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC) on access and opportunities for students with disabilities. Our key findings show progress in certain areas, substantial opportunity gaps for students with disabilities in others, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes during the 2020-21 school year. Our analysis examines data trends around the enrollment, placements, disciplinary removals, and post-secondary outcomes of students with disabilities in both traditional and charter public schools. Our analysis also focuses on charter schools specializing in educating students with disabilities to understand their growth around the United States and some of their key characteristics. Key Findings Traditional public schools educate a greater proportion of students with disabilities than charters Charters educate different types of students with disabilities than traditional public schools In charters, students with disabilities are more likely to spend time in general education settings Students with disabilities continue to experience higher rates of disciplinary practices and lower access to college preparation than their peers Specialized charter schools, concentrated in a handful of states, are increasingly focusing on autism View [...]
diverse group of children sitting in a classroom waving

Key Trends in Special Education in Public Schools (2020-21)

CLE’s Analysis of the Civil Rights Data Collection The Center for Learner Equity is proud to release our sixth secondary analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC)’s January 2025 release, this time regarding the 2021-2022 school year. We have prepared two reports that offer an in-depth look at the experiences of students with disabilities in public charter schools and traditional public schools. Our analyses of CRDC data continue to reveal persistent disparities in enrollment, disciplinary practices, and access to college preparatory opportunities for students with disabilities. In our “Fast Facts” brief, we examine national trends in enrollment, placement, discipline, and postsecondary access for students with disabilities in both traditional and charter public schools. We also offer a separate brief on the topic of specialized charter schools, where we explore the growth and characteristics of charter schools that specialize in educating students with disabilities. CLE continues to urge elected officials and the U.S. Department of Education to protect and invest in the Civil Rights Data Collection. This data is critical to national transparency around protecting students' civil rights, informing inclusive policies, and ensuring all students with disabilities receive the opportunities and supports they deserve. Key Findings [...]
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Charter School Equity, Growth, Quality, and Sustainability Study

The two-year research study highlights how state policymakers, authorizers, nonprofits, charter management organizations, and individual schools can improve the educational experiences of students with disabilities. The Charter School Equity, Growth, Quality, and Sustainability Study is a research initiative that examines and documents efforts to improve the experiences of students with disabilities in the charter school sector. CLE conducted a thorough study, including scanning journalistic reports, interviewing key experts, and conducting a literature review to identify and explore actions taken by stakeholders. It also emphasized high-leverage practices for students with disabilities, particularly BIPOC students. The study resulted in a series of stakeholder reports and a case study of a dynamic charter ecosystem in Washington State, highlighting how state policymakers, authorizers, nonprofits, charter management organizations, and schools can improve the educational experiences of students with disabilities. In our research, CLE sought to achieve two primary objectives: Understanding Impact on Growth and Sustainability: Investigating how the experiences of students with disabilities influence the growth and sustainability of charter schools. Improving Student Experiences: Identifying actionable steps by key stakeholders to improve the educational experiences of students with disabilities in charter schools. View the Executive Summary State Actions to Improve Education Access and Outcomes for [...]
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Model Policy Guide – 2nd Edition | Model Policies for Equitable Access and Quality Opportunities for Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools

With their increased autonomy and flexibility, charter schools can be a promising educational option for students with disabilities. However, during the inception of the charter movement, very few people were focused on ensuring that state charter school policies addressed the needs of students with disabilities.

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The U.S. Department of Education’s Guidance, “State General Supervision Responsibilities under Parts B and C of the IDEA: Monitoring, Technical Assistance, and Enforcement”

On July 24, 2023, the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) of the U.S. Department of Education (US ED) released a Dear Colleague letter (DCL) and lengthy guidance related to the responsibilities states have to oversee the education of students with disabilities in their schools and to ensure that those students are afforded all of their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Read about why this matters and how it impacts charter schools in the full report.

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ED’s OSEP Issues Guidance on State IDEA Monitoring and Compliance

On July 24th, the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Special Education Programs (OSEP) released guidance regarding IDEA monitoring and compliance activities conducted by state educational agencies (SEAs) of their local educational agencies (LEAs). The guidance addresses SEA obligations to maintain reasonably designed general supervision systems; timelines for identifying IDEA noncompliance and subsequent findings; and correcting child-specific noncompliance. Overall, the guidance makes important, tangible recommendations for ensuring IDEA compliance is directly connected to reaching all students with disabilities in their daily education. Furthermore, it explicitly directs SEAs to play a proactive role in ensuring the appropriate implementation of the IDEA at the local level, and not outsourcing compliance onto the shoulders of parents and the complaint process. Read our complete summary of the latest guidance.