Along with increases of students in special education, teacher shortages persist. During the 1993-1994 school year, 7.4% of the total positions needed in special education across the country were left unfilled or filled by persons who were not fully certified (U.S. DOE, 1996). When compared to national estimates, however, state level figures can vary dramatically. For example, in Florida 10.4% of positions during the 1994-1995 school year were left unfilled or filled by persons who were not fully certified (Florida Department of Education, 1996).