There is a long-standing epidemic of teaching shortages across America, and COVID has exasperated the problem. A new Department of Education study just illuminated how the public school teaching shortage has reached an all-time high. Nearly half of schools surveyed are struggling to cope with teaching vacancies—particularly in special education, which is now facing a 45% shortage.
The ripple effect of these vacancies touches all aspects of public school life. With increased class disruptions, students receive even less quality attention, increasing the gaps in academic, social, and emotional growth. Administrators need more quality resources.
The teaching shortage problem is a serious national concern. Too many students from elementary school through high school lack the sufficient educational resources that would allow them to succeed and graduate from high school and then go on to higher education. Statistically, we know that individuals without a college or high school degree make substantially less money over the course of their lives. The current teaching shortages mean that an increasing number of young people will be less equipped to secure a solid profession, compete in the world, and reach their full potential as independent adults.
Academic and functional performance is particularly crucial for special needs children, as understaffed schools struggle to meet the federal government’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements. As both public and private schools are desperate to offset the teaching shortage, they continue to compete for limited staffing resources.
Solving the Issue
With limited resources, many schools can and should leverage quality partners to support student achievement, particularly in areas like special education, which represents the greatest need. But the job of properly educating students with learning disabilities and special needs isn’t easy. Special education requires advanced training and sensitivity to the limitations and challenges of specific students. Great special education teachers know how to help their students develop an excitement and commitment to excel.
The current teaching shortages should not cause schools to compromise on the quality of education for special needs children. As an online therapy provider that is unlimited by geographic location, HelloHero has been stepping up to help curb the problem of staffing shortages for special education and related services in schools across the country.
The HelloHero team is uniquely qualified and equipped to meet all special education and related services needs. Our custom platform and clinical care coordination team help schools meet and exceed federal and state SPED requirements. Concurrently, clinical managers work alongside teachers and administrators to manage and monitor the educational, clinical, and IEP compliance process.
In addition to delivering special education and related online services, HelloHero also provides Medicaid reimbursement processing support for schools. For schools struggling with payment issues, HelloHero’s team of specialists can easily interface with Medicaid through direct portals and certified vendors to alleviate compliance and reimbursement burdens. The HelloHero team can help your team improve documentation and compliance and streamline expense recovery with all Medicaid billing.
Get in touch today to learn how we can help supplement your school’s special education and mental health services.