Washington State's Network of Support

BEST Training: Mentoring Teachers of Special Education

Mentoring Teachers of Special Education focuses on mentoring teachers of special education in three of their roles: classroom teacher, case manager for students, and lead for adults in their building.

OSPIWeb Page

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District Induction Manual: Supporting Beginning Special Educators

This District Induction Manual provides comprehensive guidelines for supporting new special education teachers through structured induction programs.

U of FloridaPDF · Tool

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How Preparation Programs can Incorporate High Leverage Instructional Practices for Moderate to Severe Disabilities

The article discusses how educator preparation programs incorporate high-leverage instructional practices to better prepare teachers for inclusive settings.

TIES CenterResearch

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Iris Center Module: Teacher Induction - Providing Comprehensive Training for New Special Educators

This module emphasizes the importance of administrative support for beginning special education teachers.

Iris CenterModules

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Supporting Special Education Teacher Induction Through High-Leverage Practices

Structuring new special education teacher induction experiences around high-leverage practices can support effective teaching and role clarity.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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TIES Center: Inclusive Big Ideas

The Inclusive Big Ideas webpage provides resources for planning grade-level, standards-based lessons that include all students.

TIES CenterModules

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Zooming In & Out on Inclusionary Practices

The Zooming In & Out on Inclusionary Practices resources provide professional development materials and presentations to support inclusive education practices.

WASAPD SeriesIncludes webinar

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Special Education Technology Center Professional Development and Events

The Special Education Technology Center’s webinars address technology tools and strategies to support inclusive learning environments.

SETCWeb PageIncludes webinar

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Characteristics of Positive Outlier Schools: Illuminating the Strengths of American Indian/ Alaska Native, Black, Latino/a, and Students Experiencing Poverty

The CEE Outlier Study Final Report examines the practices of high-performing schools that achieve exceptional student outcomes despite facing significant challenges.

CEEPDF · Report

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OSPI District and School Data Team Toolkit

The District and School Data Team Toolkit provides tools and resources to help school communities use multiple data sources to continuously improve teaching and learning.

OSPIPDF · Tool

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Outcomes of Inclusive Versus Separate Placements: A Matched Pairs Comparison Study

Results of this study indicated that students in general education classrooms demonstrated highly significant levels of progress as compared with students in separate classrooms.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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The Relationship Between Educational Placement and the Social Relationships of Students with Disabilities: A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examines how educational placement relates to the social relationships and peer connections of students with disabilities.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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Washington State Inclusionary Practices Data Profiles

These data profiles provide Washington State educators and leaders with inclusion-focused data points to support planning and continuous improvement.

OSPIWeb Page

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Inclusive Schooling Practices and Student Outcomes

This resource highlights evidence connecting inclusive schooling practices with academic, social, and post-school outcomes.

TIES CenterWeb Page

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CCTS Post-School Outcome Data

Washington post-school outcome data and reporting resources that help districts understand how former students are doing after high school.

CCTS / Seattle UniversityWeb Page

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Roots of Inclusion Toolkit

The Roots of Inclusion toolkit helps school communities build inclusive systems through shared language, reflection tools, and collaborative practices.

Roots of InclusionToolkit

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Family Engagement Collaborative Resources

Resources to support authentic family-school partnerships and improve inclusionary outcomes across Washington State.

Family Engagement CollaborativeWeb Page

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Gracious Space

The Gracious Space framework helps communities foster mutual respect, openness, and collaboration in inclusive school environments.

Roots of InclusionWeb Page

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Inclusive Education and Family Engagement: Successes and Lessons Learned in Selected IPP Demonstration Sites

This report details the implementation of inclusive education and family engagement practices, highlighting the importance of collaboration between families, educators, and the community.

UW Haring CenterPDF · Report

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TIES Center: Family and Student Stories of Inclusion

These articles highlight family and student stories of inclusion and offer resources to support inclusive education for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

TIES CenterWeb Page

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UW Haring Center Demonstration Sites: Tip Sheets

The Tip Sheets on the IPP Demonstration Sites website provide concise briefs and case studies on various inclusionary practices, each accompanied by a 10-minute video presentation.

UW Haring CenterGuides

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Washington Sensory Disabilities Services - Support for Families

The Washington Sensory Disabilities Services website provides resources and support for families of children who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision, or deafblind.

WSDSWeb Page

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Family-School Partnerships Frameworks for Inclusive Practice

Frameworks and tools that help schools strengthen collaboration with families in support of inclusive practice and student belonging.

OSPIWeb Page

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Community Engagement Practices for Inclusive Schools

Examples and guidance for building community partnerships that support inclusive schools and equitable student outcomes.

Roots of InclusionToolkit

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Creating Communities of Belonging for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities

A TIES Center article exploring belonging, peer engagement, and inclusive community-building for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

TIES CenterArticle

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Building Inclusive Schools and Communities with the Community Conversation Toolkit

An Education Northwest article highlighting the Community Conversation Toolkit and approaches for inclusive school-community dialogue.

Education NorthwestArticle

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Family Engagement Collaborative Resource Library Information Briefs

A collection of family-facing information briefs from the Family Engagement Collaborative focused on inclusionary practice topics.

Family Engagement CollaborativeGuides

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DADD Legal Brief: Misperceptions and Facts About Specially Designed Instruction

This legal brief highlights the importance of specially designed instruction and addresses common misunderstandings about how students with disabilities receive appropriate educational support.

DADD CECPDF · Article

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Transition Planning Resources

The Center for Change in Transition Services at Seattle University offers resources and tools to support effective transition planning for students with disabilities.

CCTS / Seattle UniversityToolkit

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"Grow Your Own" Resources

Districts can find motivated, well-qualified teacher candidates by supporting and mobilizing local community members such as paraeducators, career changers, and young people to enter the teaching profession.

PESBToolkit

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A Funding Guide for Supporting the Teacher Workforce with Federal, Private, and State Funds

This tool outlines various funding sources and mechanisms available to support teacher professional growth and talent development.

AIRPDF · Tool

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A Meta-Analysis of Special Education Teachers’ Burnout

This meta-analysis found that higher self-efficacy and stronger support from school personnel are associated with lower burnout.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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Addressing Special Education Staffing Shortages: Strategies for Schools

This brief addresses the special education staffing shortages in U.S. public schools and provides strategies for increasing the number of qualified special education teachers.

EdResearchPDF · Report

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AIR Grow Your Own (GYO) Modules

The Grow Your Own learning series includes modules designed to help education agencies and partners develop programs that address teacher shortages and promote a diverse workforce.

AIRModules

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Promoting Special Educator Teacher Retention: A Critical Review of the Literature

This literature review found that job satisfaction, induction programs, mentoring, and administrative support positively affect special education teacher retention.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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Shortages in Special Education Toolkit: Attract Strategies Role Guide

This guide provides strategies for addressing teacher shortages in special education by outlining roles for state education agencies, educator preparation programs, and districts.

CEEDAR CenterPDF · Tool

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Shortages in Special Education Toolkit: Preparation Strategies Role Guide

This guide outlines strategies to improve the preparation of teachers to support students with disabilities.

CEEDAR CenterPDF · Tool

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Shortages in Special Education Toolkit: Retention Strategies Role Guide

This guide outlines strategies for retaining special education teachers, focusing on professional development, mentoring, and evaluation systems.

CEEDAR CenterPDF · Tool

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Solving the Teacher Shortage: How to Attract and Retain Excellent Educators

This report identifies key factors influencing teacher recruitment and retention and offers policy recommendations to improve teacher retention and recruitment.

Learning Policy InstitutePDF · Report

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Special Education Teacher Attrition and Retention: A Review of the Literature

Researchers synthesize studies examining factors associated with special educator attrition and retention, with especially strong findings related to working conditions.

SAGE PublishingResearch

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Strategies to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Special Education Staff

The Washington State Auditor’s Office report examines challenges in recruiting and retaining special education staff in Washington State and provides recommendations for improvement.

WA State AuditorReport

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Taking the Long View: State Efforts to Solve Teacher Shortages by Strengthening the Profession

This report examines six evidence-based policies to address teacher shortages and highlights successful state examples, including Washington State.

Learning Policy InstitutePDF · Report

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Teacher Exodus Infographic

This infographic discusses the high turnover rate among teachers and suggests policies to improve teacher retention.

Learning Policy InstitutePDF · Resource

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UW Bothell ECSEL Program: Enhancing Capacity for Special Education Leadership

The ECSEL program at the University of Washington Bothell focuses on developing leadership skills in special education.

UW Bothell / ECSELWeb Page

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‘Overworked and underappreciated’: Special education teachers describe stress and attrition

This study surfaces the voices of special education teachers and identifies work-related stressors contributing to attrition.

Taylor & FrancisResearch

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