Recruitment and Retention and Special Education Teacher Preparation in Rural Areas: Diversity, Federal Funding, and Technical Assistance Considerations

Abstract

Eight faculty members at rural colleges and universities who received funding from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) to support personnel preparation efforts in their special education programs were surveyed regarding the impact of those funds. The faculty taught at minority institutions of higher education and the students supported with the grant funding were from historically underrepresented groups. A total of 117 African American, Hispanic/Latino, and American Indian students had graduated from these programs at the time of the survey, and were currently employed in 42 rural school districts. Strategies on recruiting and retaining diverse students in rural areas are provided, as well as a summary of the impact of technical assistance efforts with minority institutions nationwide.