Induction for IU1 Staff

As we continue in the new century, the availability of qualified special education teachers to meet the challenges of diversity in the schools is at a critically low level. The U.S. Department of Education reports that, while more than 300,000 special education teachers are employed in this country, an additional 26,000 are needed to serve students with disabilities between the ages of six and 21; an additional 2,200 are needed to serve preschool-age children. Approximately 30% of all special education teachers are presently on emergency certification and increasing numbers of special educators are leaving the profession every year. (U.S. Department of Education, 1995)

While there was a critical need for qualified special education teachers in the 1990s, the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the number of special education teaching jobs will increase even more in the 21st century. By the year 2005, the U.S. will need an additional 267,000 special educators. As an occupation, "special education teacher" has the 11th highest growth rate among hundreds of other careers in this country. (Passell, 1995)

Intermediate Unit 1, as a provider of special services to the 25 districts of Fayette, Washington and Greene Counties, has a mission to recruit, hire and support a quality special education and support work force. To this end we have developed this comprehensive induction process for new teachers, psychologists, social workers, nurses, speech, vision, and hearing teachers, and nonpublic school counselors. Our emphasis will focus on providing data driven and empathetic support services to encourage the innovation and expertise necessary to grow and succeed in the classroom.