A Partnership to Alleviate Special Education Teacher Shortages: University and Public School Collaboration

Abstract
Collaboration between a university (IHE) and a local education agency (LEA) resulted in the selection and training of 12 nontraditional individuals to teach students with serious behavioral and learning problems. Candidates, recruited from within the LEA, participated in a two-year graduate program consisting of ten courses and two practica. The goal of the program was to alleviate teacher shortages in special education, particularly in regard to minority teacher underrepresentation. This paper details (a) the collaboration between the IHE and the LEA, (b) the specifics of the graduate program, (c) logistical issues involved in the implementation of the program, and (d) future directions planned for this successful collaborative effort.

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