Having sufficient numbers of qualified professionals and paraprofessionals to provide special educational and related services has been an issue since the passage of PL 94-142, the
Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Yet, our nation’s schools
continue to experience chronic shortages in personnel in the areas of
instruction, related services, and program administration. Without qualified practitioners, educational opportunities for students with disabilities
will never reach the level necessary to ensure educational success.
Recruitment and retention of professionals in special education is of
critical concern to federal, state, and local policymakers.