MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — The Department of Public Instruction is getting federal grant money to help bolster Wisconsin’s special education workforce.
DPI says the $10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Education will help support recruitment and retention of special education teachers and leaders. The funding will improve professional development systems for educators and help districts implement innovative strategies to address critical special education staffing shortages.
State Superintendent Jill Underly says the funding will help districts increase professional growth opportunities and implement innovative retention strategies.
According to DPI data, 49.4 percent of Wisconsin’s new special education teachers either leave the state or the profession altogether by their sixth year.