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Slide 2 Slide 3 Approximately 43% leave within first five years in the profession Attrition rate runs between eight percent and ten percent annually Yearly shortage for special education teachers is estimated at 29,000 Slide 4 Slide 5 Because of the shortage of special education teachers, the recruiting process is costly and difficult Schools lose their investment in professional development Most special education replacement teachers are beginning teachers Schools with too many new teachers often experience more problems with discipline and experience lower academic performance Slide 6 Schools in low-income areas tend to have more inexperienced teachers Inexperienced teachers without the developed skills required frequently land in classrooms with the most needy and the greatest challenges Beginning teachers frequently start their careers at hard-to-staff schools where resources are frequently scarce because of the number of available jobs and frequent turn over Slide 7 Slide 8 Teaching Concerns Examples: applying skills learned to real classroom issues, assessing levels of student performance and evaluating their progress, evaluating individual needs, meeting student behavior needs, not having expected expertise about curriculum that spans several grade levels and subjects, managing large case loads. Slide 9 Collaboration Concerns Examples: lack of time for or problems collaborating with general educators, belief that general educators will welcome collaborative relationships, difficulties working with paraprofessionals, challenges with parents. Slide 10 Organization and Management Concerns Examples: management of varied work tasks, conflicting demands, paperwork stress, establishment of routines and organizing work responsibilities, local policies and procedures, procedure for ordering supplies and accessing available resources Slide 11 Support Concerns Examples: overestimation of ability to cope with demands placed upon them, belief that they can accomplish their classroom goals for each child, isolation from other special educators, lack of support from general educators, lack of curriculum materials, come with idealistic expectations and experience reality shock, lack full certification, work with difficult parents, tremendous stress, lack of support staff help, unmet need to continue learning. Slide 12 Legal Issues Examples: compliance requirements, confidentiality requirements, completion of IEPs. Slide 13 What Can Administrators Do to Support and Retain New Special Education Teachers? Slide 14 Providing administrative support and leadership Improving working conditions Providing high-quality professional learning on research-based strategies for improving student outcomes Implementing effective mentoring programs Slide 15 Recent report by Wallace Foundation revealed leadership is second only to classroom instruction among all school related factors that contribute to what students learn at school. Recent study analyzing teacher survey results found that teachers leaving because of job dissatisfaction, most often point to lack of administrative support and low salaries. Teachers from high minority, high poverty schools were even more likely to report that lack of administrative support was primary reason for leaving. Slide 16 Building capacity among administrators Do they understand legal mandates ? Do they understand the work of the various service providers? Are they receiving on-going professional development as instructional leaders Are they receiving on-going professional development as team builders Slide 17 Explain to the new teacher expectations of their roles and responsibilities Arrange time for new and experienced teachers to have shared planning time or to work in professional communities together or just to have common professional development Take time to get to know new teachers Encourage new teachers to ask questions and check in frequently about their support needs Slide 18 Stop by new teachers classrooms, listen to their concerns, observe them, learn about their needs by asking them Encourage them to request assistance in areas of perceived need Provide opportunities for continued learning, including visiting the classrooms of skilled and effective teachersResearch shows that teachers who feel they are provided with opportunities to learn on the job tend to be less likely to leave Slide 19 Be personally supportive: In area of discipline and behavior management In helping them obtain the necessary resources and materials In giving recognition for their work which helps to combat stress and burnout In providing emotional support by seeking teachers input in decision making process and taking a genuine interest in their work In showing concern for their students and the students progress Slide 20 Welcome Center Living Accommodations/ Room Mate Leads School Plan for Welcoming and Acclimating Community Day/Outside Interests Enlist Student Councils and PTAs Plan Social Events or Outings Slide 21 Help them become familiar with area and its offerings Show genuine concern about issues of moving to a new area and/or starting a new job Help spouse find a jobinvolve community Appreciate surrounding area through sight seeing Take a bus route tour of areas from which students will come Ask family to come in to talk about family life and challenges they face Ask high school student council members to come in to talk about family life and challenges they face Ask community leaders to share traditions and culture Slide 22 Providing administrative support and leadership Improving working conditions Providing high-quality professional learning on research-based strategies for improving student outcomes Implementing effective mentoring programs Slide 23 Transparency of Data around the key indicators of whether students and schools have effective teachers and principals whether teachers have the professional supports they need (teacher survey data on levels of support and working conditions in schools) States and districts also to collect other information about teaching & learning conditions & climate student, teacher and school leader attendance; disciplinary incidents; student, parent, or school staff surveys about their school experience Slide 24 Select your target population to focus upon Use the information from surveys you have/or use a survey designed just for special education teachers - -do not ask for input unless you plan to do something with that input Determine the highest priority issues related to special educators, by position and setting, if possible Ask for input from your teachers and staff on strategies for improvement in those areasthis is evidence of their value to the program and to you. Consider use of such techniques as Interest-Based Problem Solving to develop strategies Slide 25 Improving working conditions Providing administration support and leadership Providing high-quality professional learning on research-based strategies for improving student outcomes Implementing effective mentoring programs Slide 26 Slide 27 AREAS OF SUPPORT TO CONSIDERHIGH NEED MOD. NEED LOW NEED Assessing student progress Making accommodations or modifications for students Lesson planninglong- or short-range plans Writing goals and objectives Writing IEPs Completing paperwork related to district procedures Managing classroom instructional time or downtime Slide 28 AREAS OF SUPPOR T TO CONSIDERHIGH NEED MOD. NEED LOW NEED Setting up the classroom environment Creating classroom rules Enforcing classroom rules Obtaining and locating classroom materials Understanding testing materials Sharing ideas for teaching specific lessons Organizing student papers and records Motivating students Working with paraprofessionals Working with parents Collaborating with general education teachers Slide 29 Instructional Accommodations: Pref Seating: ___________________________ Indiv Instruction: _______________________ Sm Grp Instruction: _____________________ Peer Tutors/Wk Buddies: _________________ Modified Assign:________________________ Rd Class/Test Mtls Orally: ________________ Study Guides/Outlines: __________________ Alternate Assign: _______________________ Graphics/Pictorial Mtls: __________________ Color Code Mtls:________________________ Increased Time (Tests/Assign)_____________ Allow Breaks: __________________________ Transition Cues: ________________________ Indiv Testing: __________________________ Sm Grp Testing:_________________________ Calculator: ____________________________ Manipulatives: _________________________ Alter Mtls (font, spacing, highlight): ________ Other: ________________________________ Slide 30 Behavioral Strategies: Proximity: _____________________________ Positive Praise: _________________________ Redirection: ___________________________ Thumbs-up/High Fives: __________________ Teach Expectations: _____________________ Provide Structure/Routine: _______________ Peer Supporter: ________________________ Model/Role Play: _______________________ Free Choice: ___________________________ Time Out: _____________________________ Counselor: ____________________________ Call Parent: ____________________________ Note Home: ___________________________ Referral: ______________________________ Other: ________________________________ ______________________________________ Assistive Technology to be Implemented: ______________________________________ Slide 31 Slide 32 Slide 33 Specific goals to accomplish Participate in the classroom management behavior management workshops Observe teachers with effective classroom management skills Practice using reflective thinking after teaching a lesson Target dates for implementing new strategies Slide 34 WHAT YOU WILL DO HOW YOU WILL DO ITHOW YOU WILL REFLECT Participate in Workshop Check district professional development calendar. Register and fully participate in classes. Discuss the classroom management techniques I learn about with mentor. Try the techniques slowly and reflect on effectiveness with mentor. Observe teachers with effective classroom management skills Observe at least two teachers in my subject area suggested by my mentor/administrator. Discuss the techniques observed with that teacher and my mentor. Decide with my mentor if I should apply the techniques observed. After applying techniques, think about and discuss with mentor their effectiveness. Slide 35 High-Quality Professional Development Available Free On The Web Slide 36 Accommodations Assessment (includes Progress Monitoring) Assistive Technology Behavior and Classroom Management Collaboration Content Instruction Differentiated Instruction Disability Diversity Learning Strategies Math RTI (includes Early Intervening) Reading, Literacy, Language Arts Related Services School Improvement/ Leadership Transition Grades: PreK - 3 Grades: 4 - 8 Grades: High School Slide 37 Embedded Interventions Transition Communication for Collaboration FamilyProfessional Partnerships Assistive Technology Dialogic Reading Practices Evidence-Based Practice Approach to Professional Development Slide 38 Improving working conditions Providing administration support and leadership Providing high-quality professional learning on research-based strategies for improving student outcomes Implementing effective mentoring programs Slide 39 Attrition rates for special education teachers are twice the rate of general education teachers. Many states hire between 25 to 50 percent more new special educators prepared through alternative preparation programs than those prepared through tradition programs. Considerably fewer new special education teachers are assigned mentors than general education teachers, due to lack of experienced job-alike professionals in their schools or even districts. Slide 40 Access to a facilitated online community of practice. Specific content or exceptionality focused discussions Opportunities to ask questions and receive prompt feedback. $300 per year per teacher COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE: Pre-service and New Teachers Inquiries are a guided inquiry of practice focusing on pedagogy and/or content topics in special education. Application of practice directly to the classroom. Each beginning teacher receives individualized feedback $150 per Inquiry per teacher [fall, winter, spring] INQUIRIES: Professional Development for New Teachers CONTENT FOCUSED MENTORING: A highly qualified online mentor. COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE INQUIRIES: Opportunity to engage in three (3) inquiries that focus on instruction $1200 per teacher per year COMPLETE PROGRAM: Online Mentoring + Community + Inquiries Slide 41 Activity Start DateCompletion Date Develop goals and expected outcomes for program Review policies to enable program to operate (fiscal and contractual constraints, responsibilities of teachers Develop role and responsibilities of mentor, mentee and administrators Generate options for recognition of mentors Develop mentor support plan Establish timeline for mentoring activities Develop and present mentor training workshop Slide 42 Activity Start Date C ompletion Date Match mentors to mentees Plan and offer first meeting as a social event for all mentors and mentees to meet Present mid-year and end-of-year mentoring program activities Collect data for the mentoring program evaluation Evaluate the mentoring program based on goals and outcomes established at the beginning of planning process Slide 43 MonthActivityCompletion Date AugustCall or email mentee prior to start of school Make face-to-face contact with one another Share backgrounds and personal interests Give mentee a school tour Introduce mentee to faculty and staff Provide the mentee with a important district forms for first few months of school Complete the mentee needs survey Complete the mentor-mentee initial action plan Create a classroom management plan Slide 44 MonthActivity Completion Date Septemb er Meet at agreed upon times to discuss : Classroom and individual discipline Efficient paperwork Managing time Planning for diverse student levels Writing and implementing IEPs The school culture School operating procedures Child study team procedures Arrange to teach a demonstration lesson for mentor with follow-up debriefing Maintain ongoing communication as needed by conference, phone, email Review and revise as necessary action plan Slide 45 MonthActivityCompletion Date More-- August Help the mentee develop classroom rules and procedures Help arrange the physical layout of the classroom Review IEPs for assigned students Share suggestions for grouping students during instruction Share your classroom schedule, or develop one together Discuss how and when students should move throughout the classroom Help mentee design a record-keeping system Provide the mentee with suggestions for transition or downtown Slide 46 MonthActivity Completion Date Septemb er Meet at agreed upon times to discuss : Classroom and individual discipline Efficient paperwork Managing time Planning for diverse student levels Writing and implementing IEPs The school culture School operating procedures Child study team procedures Arrange to teach a demonstration lesson for mentor with follow-up debriefing Maintain ongoing communication as needed by conference, phone, email Review and revise as necessary action plan Slide 47 MonthActivityCompletion Date OctoberContinue to meet during agreed upon time Working with paraprofessionals Student discipline Long-term verses short-term lesson planning Grading student work Report cards Locating materials and resources Open house Brief school principal about your mentor- mentee planning, not performance Slide 48 Fully certified as special education teacher Belief that all students can learn and that teachers can make it happen Effective classroom management skills Ability to design and use an individual behavior plan Planning that connects lesson plans to IEPs, curriculum, state standards, and assessment Demonstrated interest in supporting teacher colleagues Good interpersonal skills At least three years of certified teaching experience in special education Slide 49 Review the school district policies and school handbook with the new teacher Provide the new teacher with a copy of the procedures manual Review school-based emergency drill plans Provide introductions and whos who tour for new special education teacher Review lesson plans for proper format, reflection of course requirements and standards Review grading policies and school specific regulations Conference with the new teacher at least once a week Make a monthly classroom visit to observe and give feedback Serve as a mentor, friend and guide for the new teacher Slide 50 Assist your mentee with preparations for the first day of school Help the mentee develop classroom rules and procedures Help arrange the physical layout of the classroom Review IEPs for assigned students Share suggestions for grouping students during instruction Share your classroom schedule, or develop one together Discuss how and when students should move throughout the classroom Slide 51 Provide sustained support for the mentee Be a role model in all aspects of professionalism Be an active listener Maintain professional and confidential relationship Participate in the evaluation of mentor program Slide 52