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From left, HyeonJin Yoon, Pam Brezenski, Kris Elmshaeuser and Amanda Witte are leading the Get SET project to help retain special education teachers in Nebraska.
Get SET Nebraska: Retaining Special Education Teachers in Nebraska
Subcontract
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Amanda Witte
Co-Principal Investigators: HyeonJin Yoon, Kris Elmshaeuser, Pam Brezenski
Funding Information
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Education—Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)
Subcontract from: Nebraska Department of Education (NDE)
Award Date: Oct 8, 2021
End Date: Jul 31, 2026
Abstract
This project is funded by a subcontract from the Nebraska Department of Education.
The ability of states to deliver 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 nationally, leaving many students with special needs at further risk for compromised educational outcomes.
This project is designed to address Nebraska's need to retain special education teachers across the career continuum — and at every level of experience — by developing a systematic statewide program to address special education teacher retention.
Researchers will collaborate with consultants, stakeholders, education service units and local school districts to:
- 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
- Ensure plan sustainability through partnerships and infrastructure changes.
From left, HyeonJin Yoon, Pam Brezenski, Kris Elmshaeuser and Amanda Witte are leading the Get SET project to help retain special education teachers in Nebraska.
