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More than half of new special educators leave state
or profession by eighth year
MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced today it has been awarded a five-year, $10.5 million federal grant to strengthen Wisconsin’s special education workforce and help more special education teachers build careers in Wisconsin schools.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grant as part of its State Personnel Development Grant Program. The funding will support the Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship and Induction Retention System in Wisconsin (STAIRS-WI), a statewide initiative focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining special educators.
“Wisconsin continues to face a critical teacher shortage and nowhere is that challenge more urgent than in special education,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “When we lose educators, it is our students who feel the greatest impact. Strengthening our schools begins with strengthening the teaching profession, and this grant is a major investment in that effort.”
STAIRS-WI will support the DPI’s partnership with the Department of Workforce Development to expand “earn while you learn” apprenticeship opportunities like to strengthen special education support systems. The initiative will also support the and Wisconsin Induction Program for Special Education Leadership, which provide first- and second-year special educators and emerging special education leaders with professional learning, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing support. Over its first three years, the induction program has shown promising results. Participants have been retained at higher rates and reported increased skills, greater confidence in their practice, and stronger connections to their peers.
The new grant will allow Wisconsin to build on these efforts and strengthen the supports available to special educators at key points in their careers.
“We are looking forward to this opportunity to work with our partners across Wisconsin to strengthen the special education workforce and support educators throughout their careers,” Dr. Underly said. "Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and that starts with ensuring our schools have talented, well-prepared educators who have the support they need to succeed.”
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Contact: Media.Inquiries@dpi.wi.gov
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