Diversifying the Special Education Teacher Workforce to Benefit US Schools

The demographics of the special education teacher workforce remain static, despite changes in the student population. In 2012, about 80% of special education teachers were white, while less than 20% were teachers of color. The student population, however, is becoming increasingly diverse, with students of color making up 47% of those diagnosed with disabilities in 2012. A recent study found that the proportion of special education teachers of color has been static, while the student population is rapidly becoming more diverse.

Key Takeaways:

• In 2012, 16.5% of special education teachers were people of color, compared to 17.1% in 2021.
• The share of students with disabilities who are students of color rose from 47.3% in 2012 to 53.9% in 2021.
• For the special education teacher workforce to become representative of the student population, U.S. schools would need to triple the number of special education teachers of color.
• Teachers of color are, on average, more effective than white teachers in providing positive educational experiences and outcomes for students of color, including students of color with disabilities.
• Research suggests that low-income Black male students who had one Black teacher in third, fourth, or fifth grade were 39% less likely to drop out of high school and 29% more likely to enroll in college.
• The U.S. has institutions dedicated to attracting and retaining educators of color, such as programs at historically Black colleges and universities and Hispanic-serving institutions.
• However, the U.S. educator workforce faces broad challenges, including declining interest in the teaching profession and declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs.
• The Trump administration's actions, including cutting grant funding for programs designed to develop a diverse educator workforce, could limit efforts to boost teacher diversity.

Statistics:

• 80% of U.S. public school teachers were white in 2012, including about 80% of special education teachers.
• Less than 20% of U.S. public school teachers were teachers of color in 2012.
• Students of color made up 47% of those diagnosed with disabilities in 2012.
• In 2012, 16.5% of special education teachers were people of color.
• The share of students with disabilities who are students of color rose from 47.3% in 2012 to 53.9% in 2021.
• To become representative of the student population, special education teachers need to triple the number of special education teachers of color.
• Research found that low-income Black male students who had one Black teacher in third, fourth, or fifth grade were 39% less likely to drop out of high school and 29% more likely to enroll in college.

Sources:

• The Conversation -- USA -- By Elizabeth Bettini, Assistant Professor of Special Education, Boston University
• Courtney Hale/E+ via Getty Images
• gradyreese/iStock via Getty Images
• Klaus Vedfelt/Getty Images
• The Conversation -- https://theconversation.com/diversifying-the-special-education-teacher-workforce-could-benefit-us-schools-254916