Arlington school leaders are getting creative about recruiting and retaining special education teachers.
Arlington Public Schools has embarked on a partnership with George Mason University’s Project Patriots initiative, giving current staff the ability to earn required degrees and obtain special-education certification while still working full-time for the school system.
It’s part of a broader effort aimed at “recognizing the talent that we have within, providing the opportunities and opening up a pathway for their success so they can open that same pathway for students,” Superintendent Francisco Durán told School Board members on Aug. 13.
Durán said the initial participants from Arlington included three instructional assistants and one substitute teacher. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the program provides a tuition-free pathway for teachers holding associate degrees to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education.
Participants can also simultaneously earn credits toward a master’s degree in education.
Hiring teachers for special-education roles has proved challenging both in Arlington and nationally. Locally, 12 positions remained unfilled countywide as of Aug. 7, the superintendent said, along with several administrative and support positions connected to special education.
Recruitment in the special-education arena “continues to be a focus,” Durán said.
He pointed to a recent job fair focused on special education, which attracted 40 participants.
“Three job offers were immediately extended there, and we’re hoping to find some more candidates,” Durán said.
Overall, the school system was 98.9% staffed up as of Aug. 7, hoping to reach 100% by the start of school on Aug. 31.
“Our human-resources team continues to actively recruit, interview and hire as we approach the first day of school,” Durán said. “If you know of anybody who’s looking for a job, send them to APS.”
