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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

💡This week, we are excited to spotlight @mrosie.bsky.social as one of our SPARC scholars! Rosie’s research examines teacher working conditions, special education practices, and state policies in K-12 schools through a sociocultural lens.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

📢Save the date for an upcoming webinar with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and SPARC! 💡The State of LD: Building a Stronger Education Workforce 🗓️ Oct. 28 | 2–3 PM ET

Save the date flyer for the webinar 'The State of LD: Building a Stronger Education Workforce,' hosted by the National Center for Learning Disabilities and the SPARC Center, on October 28 from 2–3 PM ET. Text notes research insights from NCLD and the SPARC Center. Background photo shows a teacher helping a young student at a desk in a classroom, with another student writing in the background.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This week, we welcome Hannah Kistler to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 🌟 Hannah's research uses quantitative methods to study how education policies affect teacher supply and student outcomes, with an emphasis on schools in historically underserved communities.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Tune in to our webinar next Thursday 9/24 with @ceedarcenter.bsky.social, where leaders will share how Washington state is using workforce data to strengthen the #TeacherPipeline.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

This week, we welcome Danielle Jeannite to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 💫 Danielle's research takes a systems-level view, examining how leadership, working conditions for special education teachers, and institutional structures shape outcomes for students and staff.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

How can states use workforce data and apprenticeship programs to identify and address critical #SpecialEducator shortages? Register for our upcoming webinar with @ceedarcenter.bsky.social to hear how Washington state is making data-driven decisions to transform the educator pipeline.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This week, we welcome @sarahcaroleo.bsky.social to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 💫 Sarah's research explores general and special education teacher preparation and development, aiming to understand how to best equip teachers to provide inclusive instructional and behavioral supports.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

We are so excited to introduce our first cohort of SPARC scholars! This week, we welcome @phoebeahn.bsky.social! 🌟 Her work focuses on advancing appropriate identification and service delivery for multilingual learners with disabilities.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

📢The American Educational Research Journal (AERJ) has published the findings from our first year of analysis. The paper explores the composition, distribution, and stability of the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. Read here: doi.org/10.3102/0002...

Paper in American Educational Research Journal: "Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States."

The abstract reads: Special education staffing challenges threaten the delivery of effective special education services to students with disabilities. We investigated the composition, distribution, and stability of the special education teacher (SET) workforce over time and across seven states. Some challenges were similar across states, such as trends in SET workforce stability over time, whereas other challenges (e.g., SET certification rates) varied considerably by state. Staffing challenges also varied within some states, contributing to considerable inequity in SET stability and in the distribution of novice SETs, SETs without full certification, and SETs of color. These findings suggest a need for policies and practices that vary by state context and target the districts and schools most affected by SET staffing challenges.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

💡 How are #SpecialEducation teachers prepared? In our upcoming webinar, Li Feng and @edutuan.bsky.social discuss how we use Title II data to understand preparation pathways for special educators. 📅 Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm ET 🔗Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Our upcoming webinar with Li Feng and Tuan Nguyen will explore trends in #SpecialEducator preparation pathways over time using Title II data. 📅 Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm ET 🔗Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Federal data can help identify trends in #SpecialEducation teacher pathways. At our next webinar, our experts will explore Title II data across our partner states and how it can inform evidence-based decision-making in special education policy and practice: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

🛣️ How have pathways into #SpecialEducation teaching changed over time? Our experts will explore trends in teacher preparation across our partner states and what the trends mean for strengthening the special education workforce. Register today: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

How do school leaders support special educators, and how do special educators grow into leadership roles? During our webinar last week, presenters shared insights from three states that dive into these questions. Here are a few key takeaways:

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Our webinar next week will explore the results of three studies of school leaders’ prior experience in #SpecialEducation, and what the results mean for supporting special educators. 📅 May 18 at 2pm ET 🔗 Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

💡School leaders play a key role in supporting special educators, but how many of them have #SpecialEducation experience? We will explore what the research reveals in our next webinar with Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

How often do special educators become school leaders? During our upcoming webinar, Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin will discuss our findings. Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

📢 Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program close soon! We look forward to collaborating with a new cohort of early-career researchers to conduct rigorous, policy-relevant research. Apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

In our upcoming webinar, we'll explore three studies with implications for how school leaders create school leadership pathways for #SpecialEducation teachers. Speakers include Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin. Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Join us for an upcoming webinar discussing recent findings about #SpecialEducation teachers moving into leadership positions in VA, WA, & TX. Speakers include LaRon Scott, Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, and Jinseok Shin. 🗓️May 18th, 2 PM ET 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program are due on May 1st. To learn more about this opportunity, join @lmasonwms.bsky.social for an upcoming Q&A session. 📅Wednesday, April 15th ⏰ 4:00 pm EST 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Are you interested in applying for the SPARC Center Scholars Program but have questions or want to learn more? Attend our Q&A Session on April 15 at 4pm ET hosted by @lmasonwms.bsky.social. 🔗Register now: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

The SPARC Center Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for early career researchers interested in the #SpecialEducation workforce. @lmasonwms.bsky.social shares more in this video: Apply by 5/1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

💡We’ve been busy! This month, our experts presented at the conferences of @cecmembership.bsky.social & @aefpweb.bsky.social. It's always valuable to share findings, learn from others, and bring back feedback that strengthens our work.

Lucky Mason-Williams, Elizabeth Bettini, & Lynn Holdheide stand in front of a large screen displaying a session titled “Strengthening the Special Education Workforce with the SPARC Center and LEAD IDEA” at the CEC 2026 Convention & Expo in Salt Lake City. The three presenters are smiling and wearing lanyards with name tags.

A group of 11 SPARC Center researchers and colleagues pose together indoors at a conference, smiling and wearing name badges on lanyards.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

At #AEFP2026 & interested in #SpecialEducation research? Join SPARC Center experts @lizbettini.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, @lmasonwms.bsky.social & @roddy-theobald.bsky.social for a conversation group tomorrow at 4:30 pm in the Zurich D Ballroom!

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with 💥indicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:`

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Heading to @cecmembership.bsky.social's #CEC2026? Join our experts for sessions on strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce and more:

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

📢 Apply for the SPARC Center Scholars Program by May 1st! Early career scholars interested in the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce can collaborate with SPARC researchers to conduct rigorous policy-relevant research. Learn more and apply: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

📢Just launched: the SPARC Center Scholars Program! This program aims to support early career scholars in conducting rigorous research on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. Learn more and apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

💡In a recent podcast, SPARC Center’s @afgilmour.bsky.social discusses the primary causes of #SpecialEducation teacher shortages, and how schools can address them.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The @caldercenter.bsky.social Conference is Monday 3/2 in Arlington, VA. SPARC's @roddy-theobald.bsky.social will present new findings on #SpecialEducation teacher retention from work with @lizbettini.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, & LaRon Scott. Register: caldercenter.org/events/17th-...

caldercenter.org

17th Annual CALDER Conference | CALDER Center

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

🌟Supporting the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce requires collaboration. This week, SPARC Center experts @lmasonwms.bsky.social and @afgilmour.bsky.social share insights from our first year of research with the Coalition for Teaching Quality. Read our findings: sparccenter.org/research-fin...

sparccenter.org

The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States | SPARC Center

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 17/02/2026

Attend the upcoming #CALDER2026 conference to catch a session by SPARC Center Director @roddy-theobald.bsky.social on Evidence on What Makes Teachers Stay: Schedules, Salaries, and School Leaders! 💡

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

This week, our experts LaRon Scott and @lmasonwms.bsky.social presented at the @ceedarcenter.bsky.social Cross-State Convening on strengthening teacher and leader preparation. When we lead together, we can better support #SpecialEducation teachers and students with disabilities.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Did you catch @afgilmour.bsky.social’s recent article in @edweek.org?

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

💡“The unique thing about Pennsylvania is they decided to do as many things as they can at once, addressing each part of the [special education teacher] pipeline.” - @afgilmour.bsky.social Read how Pennsylvania supports its #SpecialEducation workforce: www.edweek.org/teaching-lea...

edweek.org

Inside One State's Bold Plan to Keep Special Education Teachers

Pennsylvania's training and mentoring program works to retain teachers serving students with disabilities.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

“Delivering effective #SpecialEducation involves collecting data, monitoring progress, and making instructional changes when progress stalls or falters.” - @afgilmour.bsky.social Alli’s recent article in Education Next reflects on 50 years of #IDEA: www.educationnext.org/idea-at-50-l...

educationnext.org

IDEA at 50

The landmark federal law ensured access for students with disabilities. Now it’s time to focus on outcomes.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (#IDEA) was enacted 50 years ago. @airinforms.bsky.social highlights IDEA’s impact and the ongoing work to ensure a free appropriate public education for students with disabilities below.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

💡“Our shortages aren’t really from not having enough people; it’s having people teaching the wrong thing.” - @afgilmour.bsky.social Check out this article from Education Week which features research from our recent working paper on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Did you know recruitment and retention of #SpecialEducation teachers varies widely by school contexts, including by poverty level, enrollment demographics, and location? 🔎Explore more with our data visualizer: sparccenter.org/data-explore...

Screenshot from the SPARC Center Data Explorer.
The graph looks at the percentage of special education teachers (SETs) who changed schools by school-poverty level. Seven states are included: Hawai‘i, Indiana, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. For each state, there are three dots showing the percent of SETs moving schools at low-poverty schools, middle-poverty schools, and high-poverty schools. In all states except Hawai‘i, the rate is highest for high-poverty schools.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

🎉 Congratulations to SPARC Center’s @lmasonwms.bsky.social for receiving the Excellence in Teacher Education Award from @ted-cec.bsky.social! This honor recognizes Lucky's outstanding contributions to preparing and supporting #SpecialEducation teachers.

Photo from the award presentation for the Excellence in Teacher Education Award from the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Two people stand in the center of the photo, both smiling. LaRon Scott, left, wears a tan suit. Lucky Mason-Williams, right, wears a black suit and holds the award plaque in her hand.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

✨What does the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce look like within and across states? Our new interactive data visualizer tool looks at the composition, stability, and distribution of the workforce in our seven partner states. Explore the tool: sparccenter.org/data-explore...

sparccenter.org

SPARC Data Explorer | SPARC Center

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

"As we have demonstrated, different states face different #SpecialEducation teacher turnover problems. This suggests that the most promising solutions might vary across states." Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...

brookings.edu

States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings

Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

🔍Our new Working Paper uses consistent variables across states. Leveraging Common Education Data Standards and Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems enables meaningful cross-state comparisons of the #SpecialEducation Teacher workforce. Read more: sparccenter.org/research-fin...

sparccenter.org

The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States | SPARC Center

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 10/11/2025

💡SPARC Center’s @roddy-theobald.bsky.social is presenting at @appam.bsky.social this week. Explore his sessions at the link below.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

🌟SPARC Center researchers are presenting at @ted-cec.bsky.social next week. Check out this thread for their sessions:

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

📢 Our new Working Paper provides important cross-state insights into the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. We highlight some of our major findings in this thread⬇️

Abstract of SPARC Working Paper No. 01-1025, titled "The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States."

The abstract reads: Special education staffing challenges threaten the delivery of effective special education services to students with disabilities. We investigated the composition, distribution, and stability of the special education teacher (SET) workforce over time and across seven states. Some challenges were similar across states, such as trends in SET workforce stability over time, while other challenges (e.g., SET certification rates) varied considerably by state. Staffing challenges also varied within some states, contributing to considerable inequity in SET stability and in the distribution of novice SETs, SETs without full certification, and SETs of color. These findings suggest a need for policies and practices that vary by state context and target the districts and schools most affected by SET staffing challenges.

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SPARC Center @sparccenter.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

📢 NEW RESEARCH ALERT! The SPARC Center is excited to share THREE new resources with our findings from our first year of research on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. Explore the resources in this thread, or visit our website to learn more: sparccenter.org

Promotional graphic for the SPARC Center’s new multi-state analysis resources. It includes a bulleted list detailing the resources, including a working paper, fact sheets with state-specific summaries, and a data visualizer tool.

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