RECRUITING, SUPPORTING AND RETAINING SPECIAL EDUCATION PERSONNEL

BACKGROUND

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In 2001 staff of the Oregon Special Education Recruitment and Retention Project conducted a statewide survey of recently hired special educators to determine whether the results of national studies on the recruitment and retention of special educators were consistent with Oregon.

This study replicates the 2001 study to determine whether findings and related recommendations are still appropriate.

Focus of This Study

This replication study focuses on the experiences of special education professionals in their first or second year with a school district or Education Service District. Specifically, questions address:

1. How individuals found their current position.
2. Factors related to accepting the employment.
3. Positive and negative experiences in the application, interview and hiring process.
4. The incidence and helpfulness of induction activities.
5. The incidence and helpfulness of initial support (transition) activities.
6. The incidence and importance of ongoing support activities.
7. Factors associated with leaving previous employment.
8. Factors related to leaving current employment, Oregon, and the profession.

The population under study is recently hired (in their first or second year) special education professionals in Oregon agencies. This population is made up of five subpopulations of interest, including:

1. Newly licensed (first or second year) special educators prepared Oregon.
2. Newly licensed (first or second year) special educators prepared out-of-state.
3. Experienced Oregon special educators (i.e., three or more years of experience in the profession), but new to the agency.
4. Experienced out-of-state special educators (i.e., three or more years of experience in the profession), but new to Oregon.
5. Experienced professionals new to special education (e.g., psychologists, speech & language pathologists, therapists, regular educators) and new to the agency.

Developing the Survey

This study was conducted using a survey containing both "forced-choice" and "open-ended" questions. All of the "forced-choice" items provided opportunities for respondents to add additional items and rate their helpfulness or importance. The 2007 survey was based on and consistent with the 2001 survey. Click to view a PDF copy of the 2007 Survey.

Recruiting Participants

In late spring 2007 and again in late summer 2007 a letter and nomination form was sent to all district and ESD Directors of Special Education/Services in Oregon. This letter explained the purpose of the survey and provided directions for nominating individuals who met the criteria for inclusion in the study (in their first or second year with the agency). This nomination form was filled out and returned to the Recruitment and Retention Project. A total of 293 individuals meeting the criteria for inclusion were nominated by their districts and ESD's. These 293 nominees were mailed survey packets that included: a Cover Letter describing the survey, the voluntary nature of the survey, informed consent procedures and how anonymity would be assured; the Survey; and, a self-addressed stamped return envelope. A total of 90 completed surveys were returned through September 2007.

This report provides some initial descriptive results for the population of respondents as a whole. More in-depth analyses will be conducted in the coming months with sub-populations that should yield implications for policy and practice at the local level.

Recruitment Contents

Effectively Advertising Your Open Positions
Reviewing Your Entire Hiring Process - Keeping Good Applicants Interested
Developing and Promoting the Workplace: What People are Looking for in a job

Retention Contents

Effectively Orienting New Staff
Providing Initial Supports to New Staff
Providing Ongoing Supports and a Supportive Environment