Here’s how Ann Arbor schools are tackling a special education teacher shortage

ANN ARBOR, MI – Steps are being taken to address a shortage of special education teachers amid concerns being raised again by parents and community members, Ann Arbor Public Schools officials said.

As of Friday, Sept. 27, close to a fifth of the district's 26 teacher positions posted on its online jobs listing were for specialties in special education or a resource program.

It's a shortage referenced by a few speakers during public comment at the Ann Arbor School Board's Wednesday, Sept. 25 meeting.

Specifically, a submitted statement signed by 24 parents and community members alleges a staffing crisis among the special education team at Mitchell Elementary School, impacting the wider school culture.

Fred Klein, a 35-year teacher and president of the Ann Arbor Education Association teachers' union, told board members he was alarmed by the number of unfilled special education jobs, as well as teacher assistant positions at schools he's visited.

"This is causing (individualized education programs) to risk becoming out of compliance, burning out staff, and is posing a safety issue at some buildings," Klein said.

Ann Arbor Superintendent Jazz Parks acknowledged the issue.

"Every district in our county and many districts statewide are experiencing just a significant shortage of special education staff," Parks said. "We want to make sure the community knows we are working diligently to ensure that our positions are filled."

Teachers who have a degree in or a certification endorsed in special education can accommodate students with a variety of learning or developmental disabilities and other impairments, according to the qualifications listed under some AAPS job postings.

The latest concerns come after those raised during the summer after some teachers were reportedly being involuntarily transferred between schools ahead of the current school year – in part to help fill special education positions required by state law.

In July, a teacher said he was one of nine others told they'd be transferred. According to a list of all teacher transfers after May 1, obtained by MLive/The Ann Arbor News via a Freedom of Information Act request, close to 10 were transferred to resource or special education programs, including some from other existing resource positions, out of 68 teacher moves at large.

So, what is AAPS doing to address the shortage?

Concetta Lewis, the district's assistant superintendent of special education programs, said Ann Arbor Public Schools is:

Working with local universities to identify candidates to fill open resource teacher positions and provide support interns.

Partnering with a "Grow Your Own" program for existing district employees with a bachelor's degree to apply to earn a master's degree in special education at no cost.

Aiming to increase pay rates for long-term substitutes in critical positions, such as those who work in programs with students who have cognitive impairments and Autism.

Seeking input from outside agencies with staff and expertise for students with unique socialization and emotional needs.

At Mitchell, Lewis said that may look like tapping three Washtenaw Intermediate School District teacher consultants to develop a targeted support plan for the building.

"Upon learning of some of the concerns, I went over, visited, talked with staff to get their insight and feedback and get a better understanding of what's going on so that we can work collaboratively to ensure that every student at that building has what they are supposed to have," she said.

The intermediate school district began piloting a paraprofessional-to-teacher certification program with Eastern Michigan before the COVID-10 pandemic that is helping fill some local special education openings, WISD spokesperson Ashley Kryscynski said.

Paid for by local districts, she said the program enables paraprofessionals, often referred to as instructional or teachers' aides, to go back to school, finish their bachelor's degree, and get their certification in special education teaching typically over three and a half years.

"We see it as an investment into our own staff," Kryscynski said. "They're folks who already live and work in our communities, already understand everything that comes with working in a public-school setting, and because they're parapros, they're assigned to working with, oftentimes, students with disabilities."

The WISD has seen five groups of participants in the pilot program with their third one set to graduate in December, she said.

One group of 17 graduated in April, while another of 19 graduated in December 2023. Of the latter group of grads, 17 found teaching jobs in special education the following semester in Washtenaw County.

"We actually know that some of them were hired as long-term subs to take over classrooms before they graduated," Kryscynski said. "So, they kind of just slid right into those permanent positions when the finished, which was amazing."

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