The current investigation surveyed 83 preservice teacher education candidates enrolled in institutions of higher education (IHEs) to pursue licensure in special education. The purpose of the investigation was to determine why these candidates were pursuing a career as a special education teacher, when they decided, and where they saw themselves teaching in the near future. The survey yielded implications for potential K-12 and IHE initiatives to promote careers in the field of special education to individuals.
BerryA. B.PetrinR. A.GravelleM. L.FarmerT. W. (2012). Issues in special education teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development: Considerations in supporting rural teachers. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 30(4), 3–11.
CowanJ.GoldhaberD.HayesK.TheobaldR. (2016). Missing elements in the discussion of teacher shortages. Educational Researcher, 45(8), 460–462. https://doi.org/10.3102/001318916679145
4.
Every Student Succeeds Act. S. 1177, 114th Cong. (2015) (enacted).
5.
HagamanJ. L.CaseyK. J. (2017). Teacher attrition in special education: Perspectives from the field. Teacher Education and Special Education, 41(4), 277–291. https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406417725797
6.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 (2004).
7.
LekoM. M.BrownellM. T.SindelarP. T.KielyM. T. (2015). Envisioning the future of special education personnel preparation in a standards-based era. Exceptional Children, 82(1), 25–43.
8.
MarantoR.ShulsJ. V. (2013). How do we get them on the farm? Efforts to improve rural teacher recruitment and retention in Arkansas. The Rural Educator, 34(1), 1–9. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1000101.pdf
9.
Mason-WilliamsL. (2015). Unequal opportunities: A profile of the distribution of special education teachers. Exceptional Children, 81(2), 247–262.
SindelarP. T.PuaD. J.FisherT.PeytonD. J.BrownellM. T.Mason-WilliamsL. (2018). The demand for special education teachers in rural schools revisited: An update on progress. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 37, 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756870517749247
