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
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The Conversation -- https://theconversation.com/diversifying-the-special-education-teacher-workforce-could-benefit-us-schools-254916