About This Series
A Three‑Part Virtual Professional Learning Series
University Instructors (UI) & Urban Collaborative
School districts across the country continue to face persistent shortages in Special Education teachers, paraprofessionals, and related service providers—pressuring systems to rely on short‑term staffing solutions that strain budgets and limit long‑term stability.
This three‑part virtual professional learning series provides district leaders with a research‑backed, implementation‑ready framework for building and sustaining Special Education staffing capacity across roles. The series focuses on practical workforce planning, onboarding, training, and year‑round supports that reduce attrition and strengthen permanent district capacity.
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How to plan and fund Special Education staffing strategically across the full talent lifecycle
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Evidence‑based onboarding, training, and coaching models that support early success
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Sustainable approaches to retention, wellness, and long‑term pipeline development
Schedule
- Session 1: Thursday, May 21 at 3 pm ET
- Session 2: Tuesday, June 16 at Noon ET
- Session 3: Tuesday, Aug 18 at 3 pm ET
Who Should Attend?
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Special Education Directors & Coordinators
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CHROs and HR & Talent Leaders
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Instructional Leaders & Executive Directors
- District Leaders (Urban Collaborative members and non‑members)
Session 1: Hiring & Strategic Workforce Planning
Special Education staffing challenges rarely stem from hiring alone. They are the result of fragmented workforce planning, limited pipelines, and misalignment between budget cycles, funding sources, and long‑term district goals.
This session focuses on strategic workforce planning across Special Education roles, helping district leaders identify gaps, prioritize investments, and build sustainable staffing plans grounded in current labor market realities.
Session 2: Onboarding, Training, and Early Career Support
Hiring is only the first step. Without intentional onboarding, training, and coaching, new Special Education staff are far more likely to exit within their first year, continuing the cycle of turnover and shortages.
This session examines evidence‑based onboarding and training models that help Special Education professionals, including paraprofessionals, teachers, and specialists, start strong, meet compliance expectations, and feel supported from day one.
Session 3: Year-Round Support, Retention, and Sustainment
Sustainable Special Education staffing requires year‑round support systems that prioritize retention, performance, and professional growth, while steadily reducing dependence on contract staffing models.
This final session focuses on year-round wraparound supports and long‑term sustainment strategies, including coaching and professional learning, that strengthen permanent district capacity over time to strengthen your districts Special Education staffing pipeline.