The State of Special Education Leadership Training and College and University Faculty: What We Know and What We Don't

Abstract

Predictions that the field of special education was going to face a shortage of faculty were made in the late 1980s, but no concentrated efforts were made to stave off this supply and demand imbalance. The result is a problem today and the likelihood of an even more substantial problem in the years to come. Simply put, the demand for the product (special education doctoral graduates) is in excess of the supply. Doctoral programs are producing fewer graduates, and more and more of those graduates do not seek careers as faculty members across the nation. There are many identified reasons for this situation, but not all of the factors contributing to this problem have been studied. Regardless, it is critical that the field come to understand the independent and compounding variables contributing to faculty shortages and begin to develop strategies, direct incentives, and initiatives that will solve the problem. This article provides a synthesis of the research conducted to-date, and outlines topics that must be studied so stakeholders can better understand the situation.