Children engaged in sensory exercises, often used in special education classrooms. (Photo by Getty Images)
North Carolina is falling short in how it serves students with disabilities, according to a 2023-2024 state report on special education presented at Wednesday’s State Board of Education meeting.
The U.S. Department of Education has again labeled the state as “needing assistance,” a designation North Carolina has carried for several years. More than 30 states fall into the same category, but for North Carolina it signals ongoing issues with meeting all federal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
While the label does not cut funding, it means the state must work with federal advisers and report on its progress. If improvements are not made, North Carolina could face a tougher designation of “needs intervention.”
Staffing is one of the biggest challenges the North Carolina is facing. Across the state, there are 1,544 open positions for special education teachers. This teacher shortage, with vacancies averaging 10% annually, often means larger caseloads for existing teachers, uncertified staff filling roles, and students missing out on services required in their education plans. Specifically, there are 758 special education openings in elementary schools, 385 in middle schools, and another 401 unfilled positions in high schools.
Recruitment remains difficult. Fewer than two dozen applicants showed up for a recent job fair.
“I think it’s very challenging,” Dr. Carol Ann Hudgens, senior director of the Office of Exceptional Children, describing how few people are entering the field.
The state has launched new initiatives to address some of the issues. For example, about $2 million has gone out to local districts to support training programs, help with recruitment efforts, and improve retention. Department of Public Instruction (DPI ) officials said districts are tracking which teachers attend professional development sessions to help target support where it’s needed most.
The state is also offering regional training institutes and conferences to better support exceptional children educators.
Despite the recruitment challenges, the report did note some gains. Graduation rates for students with disabilities rose from 62.5% to 66.6%, according to the report. The State Board of Education is expected to vote on the report’s approval on Thursday before it is submitted to the General Assembly.DPI identified key priority areas for support, including:
Student performance on statewide assessments Suspension and expulsion rates Preschool outcomes Child find and early childhood transition Secondary transition and post-school outcomesRead the full report here.
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