SPARC Center

Join our upcoming webinar with the National Center for Learning Disabilities, featuring @lizbettini.bsky.social, to hear about the state of the #SpecialEducation workforce. Register here: ncld.co/4zSWlIN

Join us on October 28th for a webinar with the National Center for Learning Disabilities about building a strong #SpecialEducation workforce! Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

💫 This week we welcome Gretchen Scheibel to our first cohort of SPARC Scholars! Gretchen uses quantitative and economic evaluation research methods to study intervention implementation and educator working conditions.

💡This week, we are excited to spotlight @mrosie.bsky.social as one of our SPARC scholars! Rosie’s research examines teacher working conditions, special education practices, and state policies in K-12 schools through a sociocultural lens.

📢Save the date for an upcoming webinar with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and SPARC! 💡The State of LD: Building a Stronger Education Workforce 🗓️ Oct. 28 | 2–3 PM ET

22 Sept

This week, we welcome Hannah Kistler to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 🌟 Hannah's research uses quantitative methods to study how education policies affect teacher supply and student outcomes, with an emphasis on schools in historically underserved communities.

17 Sept

Tune in to our webinar next Thursday 9/24 with @ceedarcenter.bsky.social, where leaders will share how Washington state is using workforce data to strengthen the #TeacherPipeline.

CEEDAR Center@ceedarcenter.bsky.social

How can workforce data strengthen the special education educator pipeline? 📊 Join CEEDARCenter + SPARC Center next week to learn how leaders are using workforce data & Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs to address shortages and build a stronger educator workforce! Bit.ly/rtapwebinar

15 Sept

This week, we welcome Danielle Jeannite to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 💫 Danielle's research takes a systems-level view, examining how leadership, working conditions for special education teachers, and institutional structures shape outcomes for students and staff.

10 Sept

How can states use workforce data and apprenticeship programs to identify and address critical #SpecialEducator shortages? Register for our upcoming webinar with @ceedarcenter.bsky.social to hear how Washington state is making data-driven decisions to transform the educator pipeline.

CEEDAR Center@ceedarcenter.bsky.social

Data + apprenticeships = new possibilities for strengthening the special education workforce. 📊 Join CEEDAR Center + SPARC Center on Sept. 24 to explore how workforce data and RTAPs can help address shortages and build stronger educator pipelines. ➡️ Bit.ly/rtapwebinar

8 Sept

This week, we welcome @sarahcaroleo.bsky.social to our first cohort of SPARC scholars! 💫 Sarah's research explores general and special education teacher preparation and development, aiming to understand how to best equip teachers to provide inclusive instructional and behavioral supports.

ufl.zoom.usWelcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Leveraging Data and Apprenticeships to Strengthen the Educator Workforce  . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeti...Join the CEEDAR Center and SPARC Center for an insightful webinar focused on using data to drive educator pipeline decisions and building a resilient, high-quality special education workforce. Discove...

3 Sept

💡Join our upcoming webinar with @ceedarcenter.bsky.social about using data & apprenticeship programs to strengthen the #SpecialEducation workforce. 📅 Thursday, September 24 at 2pm ET 🔗Register to attend: ufl.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

CEEDAR Center@ceedarcenter.bsky.social

How can workforce data strengthen the special education educator pipeline? 📊 Join CEEDAR + @sparccenter.bsky.social to learn how leaders are using workforce data & Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs to address shortages and build a stronger educator workforce! ➡️ Bit.ly/rtapwebinar

1 Sept

We are so excited to introduce our first cohort of SPARC scholars! This week, we welcome @phoebeahn.bsky.social! 🌟 Her work focuses on advancing appropriate identification and service delivery for multilingual learners with disabilities.

18 Aug

📢The American Educational Research Journal (AERJ) has published the findings from our first year of analysis. The paper explores the composition, distribution, and stability of the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce. Read here: doi.org/10.3102/0002...

18 Aug

The paper is authored by @afgilmour.bsky.social, @brendanbartanen.bsky.social, @lizbettini.bsky.social, @libettyfeng.bsky.social, Jamie Klinenberg, @lmasonwms.bsky.social, Christopher Redding, LaRon Scott, and @roddy-theobald.bsky.social.

11 Aug

💡 How are #SpecialEducation teachers prepared? In our upcoming webinar, Li Feng and @edutuan.bsky.social discuss how we use Title II data to understand preparation pathways for special educators. 📅 Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm ET 🔗Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

4 Aug

Our upcoming webinar with Li Feng and Tuan Nguyen will explore trends in #SpecialEducator preparation pathways over time using Title II data. 📅 Wednesday, August 19 at 2pm ET 🔗Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

21 July

Federal data can help identify trends in #SpecialEducation teacher pathways. At our next webinar, our experts will explore Title II data across our partner states and how it can inform evidence-based decision-making in special education policy and practice: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

8 July

🛣️ How have pathways into #SpecialEducation teaching changed over time? Our experts will explore trends in teacher preparation across our partner states and what the trends mean for strengthening the special education workforce. Register today: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

How do school leaders support special educators, and how do special educators grow into leadership roles? During our webinar last week, presenters shared insights from three states that dive into these questions. Here are a few key takeaways:

lead-idea.orgHome | Lead IDEA

💡 Abby Foley shared how administrators can use resources from the Lead IDEA Center to support special education teachers and their students: lead-idea.org

sparccenter.orgHome | SPARC Center

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important discussion! Sign up for our email newsletter on our website to learn of our future webinars: sparccenter.org

💡Jinseok Shin shared findings from Texas, where 20% of principals had SET experience. For special educators, having a principal with SET experience was associated with higher retention in general, though effects varied across school contexts.

💡@roddy-theobald.bsky.social shared that, in Washington, general educators are more likely to become school administrators, while SETs are more likely to become special education administrators. Unlike in Texas, a principal’s special education experience was not associated with SET retention.

💡In Virginia, as LaRon Scott shared, less than 10% of special education teachers (SETs) obtain a principal license — though most of the educators who earn the license do transition to a leadership role. This is especially true for male SETs.

14 May

Our webinar next week will explore the results of three studies of school leaders’ prior experience in #SpecialEducation, and what the results mean for supporting special educators. 📅 May 18 at 2pm ET 🔗 Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

7 May

💡School leaders play a key role in supporting special educators, but how many of them have #SpecialEducation experience? We will explore what the research reveals in our next webinar with Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

30 Apr

How often do special educators become school leaders? During our upcoming webinar, Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin will discuss our findings. Register to attend: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

28 Apr

📢 Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program close soon! We look forward to collaborating with a new cohort of early-career researchers to conduct rigorous, policy-relevant research. Apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

23 Apr

In our upcoming webinar, we'll explore three studies with implications for how school leaders create school leadership pathways for #SpecialEducation teachers. Speakers include Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, LaRon Scott, and Jinseok Shin. Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

21 Apr

Join us for an upcoming webinar discussing recent findings about #SpecialEducation teachers moving into leadership positions in VA, WA, & TX. Speakers include LaRon Scott, Abby Foley, @roddy-theobald.bsky.social, and Jinseok Shin. 🗓️May 18th, 2 PM ET 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

9 Apr

Applications for the SPARC Scholars Program are due on May 1st. To learn more about this opportunity, join @lmasonwms.bsky.social for an upcoming Q&A session. 📅Wednesday, April 15th ⏰ 4:00 pm EST 🔗Register: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

2 Apr

Are you interested in applying for the SPARC Center Scholars Program but have questions or want to learn more? Attend our Q&A Session on April 15 at 4pm ET hosted by @lmasonwms.bsky.social. 🔗Register now: binghamton.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

31 Mar

The SPARC Center Scholars Program is a unique opportunity for early career researchers interested in the #SpecialEducation workforce. @lmasonwms.bsky.social shares more in this video: Apply by 5/1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

25 Mar

💡We’ve been busy! This month, our experts presented at the conferences of @cecmembership.bsky.social & @aefpweb.bsky.social. It's always valuable to share findings, learn from others, and bring back feedback that strengthens our work.

19 Mar

At #AEFP2026 & interested in #SpecialEducation research? Join SPARC Center experts @lizbettini.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, @lmasonwms.bsky.social & @roddy-theobald.bsky.social for a conversation group tomorrow at 4:30 pm in the Zurich D Ballroom!

sparccenter.orgSPARC Center Scholars Program | SPARC Center

19 Mar

This session is also an opportunity to learn more about our new SPARC Scholars Program. Learn more and apply by May 1: sparccenter.org/sparc-center...

SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with 💥indicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:`

📅 March 21 | 8:15–9:45 am 📍 Vevey 2 💡 Working Conditions, Supports, & Teacher Wellbeing with @lizbettini.bsky.social 💥

📅 March 21 | 11:45 am–1:15 pm 📍 Vevey 2 💡 Teacher Incentives with @roddy-theobald.bsky.social

SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with 💥indicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:`

📅 March 20 | 10:00–11:30 am 📍 St. Gallen 2 💡 Promoting a More Nuanced Understanding of IEPs and Supports for Students Receiving Special Education with @lizbettini.bsky.social 💥

📅 March 20 | 4:30–5:30 pm 📍 Zurich D Ballroom 💡 Conversation Group: Building and Sustaining a Strong Special Education Workforce Through Policy-Relevant Research with @lizbettini.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, @lmasonwms.bsky.social & @roddy-theobald.bsky.social 💥

SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with 💥indicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:`

📅 March 19 | 1:30–3:00 pm 📍 Montreux 2 💡 Special Education Teacher Workforce with @afgilmour.bsky.social & @edutuan.bsky.social 💥

📅 March 20 | 8:15–9:45 am 📍 Montreux 3 💡 Understanding Special Education Identification and Services with @afgilmour.bsky.social 💥

SPARC Center experts are presenting at #AEFP2026 this week! Sessions are in the thread below, with 💥indicating sessions related to #SpecialEducation:`

📅 March 19 | 8:15–9:45 am 📍 Vevey 2 💡 The Impacts of School Leaders with @roddy-theobald.bsky.social 💥

Heading to @cecmembership.bsky.social's #CEC2026? Join our experts for sessions on strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce and more:

📅 March 12 from 2:15–3:15 pm MT 📍 Ballroom C 💡Project SUSTAIN: Enhancing Special Educators’ Working Conditions with @lizbettini.bsky.social

📅 March 13 from 9:15–10:15 am MT 📍Ballroom B 💡 Leaders Unlocking Potential: Strengthening Services for Students with Disabilities with Lynn Holdheide

Heading to @cecmembership.bsky.social's #CEC2026? Join our experts for sessions on strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce and more:

📅 March 12 from 1:00–2:00 pm MT 📍 Ballroom D 💡 A New Pathway for School Leadership: Registered Apprenticeships & Disability-Inclusive Practice with Lynn Holdheide

📅 March 12 from 1:00–2:00 pm MT 📍 Room 251 E 💡From Burnout to Breakthrough: Cultivating a Healthy Special Education Workforce with @lizbettini.bsky.social

Heading to @cecmembership.bsky.social's #CEC2026? Join our experts for sessions on strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce and more: