Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
@lmasonwms.bsky.social
Associate Prof, Binghamton University. Advocate for a prepared, representative, stable, & equitably distributed special ed workforce.
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
✨What does the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce look like within and across states? Our new interactive data visualizer tool looks at the composition, stability, and distribution of the workforce in our seven partner states.
Explore the tool: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
Explore the tool: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
SPARC Data Explorer | SPARC Center
sparccenter.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
✨What does the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce look like within and across states? Our new interactive data visualizer tool looks at the composition, stability, and distribution of the workforce in our seven partner states.
Explore the tool: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
Explore the tool: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
💡“Our shortages aren’t really from not having enough people; it’s having people teaching the wrong thing.” - @afgilmour.bsky.social
Check out this article from Education Week which features research from our recent working paper on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Check out this article from Education Week which features research from our recent working paper on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Schools Have the Special Educators—But Keep Losing Them to General Ed.: A study across seven states finds educators for students with disabilities need more targeted support.
Schools Have the Special Educators—But Keep Losing Them to General Ed.
A study across seven states finds educators for students with disabilities need more targeted support.
www.edweek.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
💡“Our shortages aren’t really from not having enough people; it’s having people teaching the wrong thing.” - @afgilmour.bsky.social
Check out this article from Education Week which features research from our recent working paper on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Check out this article from Education Week which features research from our recent working paper on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Did you know recruitment and retention of #SpecialEducation teachers varies widely by school contexts, including by poverty level, enrollment demographics, and location?
🔎Explore more with our data visualizer: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
🔎Explore more with our data visualizer: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
November 18, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Did you know recruitment and retention of #SpecialEducation teachers varies widely by school contexts, including by poverty level, enrollment demographics, and location?
🔎Explore more with our data visualizer: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
🔎Explore more with our data visualizer: sparccenter.org/data-explore...
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Really excited to have this piece out on the Brown Center Chalkboard blog with @lmasonwms.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, & @lizbettini.bsky.social on the importance of targeted solutions to special education teacher staffing challenges. See below!
"As we have demonstrated, different states face different #SpecialEducation teacher turnover problems. This suggests that the most promising solutions might vary across states."
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings
Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.
www.brookings.edu
November 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Really excited to have this piece out on the Brown Center Chalkboard blog with @lmasonwms.bsky.social, @afgilmour.bsky.social, & @lizbettini.bsky.social on the importance of targeted solutions to special education teacher staffing challenges. See below!
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
So much important information in this graph!!
November 13, 2025 at 4:16 PM
So much important information in this graph!!
“Chronic special education teacher shortages leave many students with disabilities without access to the instruction and support they need to meet learning and lifetime goals.” @ted-cec.bsky.social @cec-dr.bsky.social
"As we have demonstrated, different states face different #SpecialEducation teacher turnover problems. This suggests that the most promising solutions might vary across states."
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings
Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.
www.brookings.edu
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
“Chronic special education teacher shortages leave many students with disabilities without access to the instruction and support they need to meet learning and lifetime goals.” @ted-cec.bsky.social @cec-dr.bsky.social
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
"As we have demonstrated, different states face different #SpecialEducation teacher turnover problems. This suggests that the most promising solutions might vary across states."
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings
Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.
www.brookings.edu
November 12, 2025 at 5:31 PM
"As we have demonstrated, different states face different #SpecialEducation teacher turnover problems. This suggests that the most promising solutions might vary across states."
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Read more about our recent findings in our article with @brookings.edu: www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
@sparccenter.bsky.social co-director @lizbettini.bsky.social challenging @ted-cec.bsky.social members to think critically about the #specialeducation teacher workforce
November 11, 2025 at 11:11 PM
@sparccenter.bsky.social co-director @lizbettini.bsky.social challenging @ted-cec.bsky.social members to think critically about the #specialeducation teacher workforce
@SPARC_Center researcher & president of the @ted-cec.bsky.social of @CECMembership LaRon Scott kicking off our annual meeting!
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
@SPARC_Center researcher & president of the @ted-cec.bsky.social of @CECMembership LaRon Scott kicking off our annual meeting!
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
🔍Our new Working Paper uses consistent variables across states. Leveraging Common Education Data Standards and Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems enables meaningful cross-state comparisons of the #SpecialEducation Teacher workforce.
Read more: sparccenter.org/research-fin...
Read more: sparccenter.org/research-fin...
The Composition, Distribution, and Stability of the Special Education Teacher Workforce in Seven States | SPARC Center
sparccenter.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM
🔍Our new Working Paper uses consistent variables across states. Leveraging Common Education Data Standards and Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems enables meaningful cross-state comparisons of the #SpecialEducation Teacher workforce.
Read more: sparccenter.org/research-fin...
Read more: sparccenter.org/research-fin...
An essential step to building a strong special education workforce is designing policies at all levels that make them want to STAY.
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings
Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.
www.brookings.edu
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
An essential step to building a strong special education workforce is designing policies at all levels that make them want to STAY.
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Excited to spread the word!
📢 NEW RESEARCH ALERT! The SPARC Center is excited to share THREE new resources with our findings from our first year of research on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Explore the resources in this thread, or visit our website to learn more: sparccenter.org
Explore the resources in this thread, or visit our website to learn more: sparccenter.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Excited to spread the word!
Such important work- with clear suggestions for how much still needs to be done! I hope a few doc students are paying attention- maybe a dissertation idea or two? @ted-cec.bsky.social
Excited to share a new publication with co-author Tiffany Lam- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dual-Certification in Special Education and General Education. Read the full paper here- journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
October 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Such important work- with clear suggestions for how much still needs to be done! I hope a few doc students are paying attention- maybe a dissertation idea or two? @ted-cec.bsky.social
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Excited to circulate another @caldercenter.bsky.social WP! Another study from my dissertation, w/ @roddy-theobald.bsky.social. Using data from WA, we track individual paraeducators to predict exit from the state education workforce. Ungated WP here: tinyurl.com/3wtfrm2m
🧵 below:
🧵 below:
July 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Excited to circulate another @caldercenter.bsky.social WP! Another study from my dissertation, w/ @roddy-theobald.bsky.social. Using data from WA, we track individual paraeducators to predict exit from the state education workforce. Ungated WP here: tinyurl.com/3wtfrm2m
🧵 below:
🧵 below:
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
🎓 Is having a dual-certification in #SpecialEducation and general education better than having one certification? SPARC Center co-director @afgilmour.bsky.social and Tiffany Lam reviewed the research to learn more on this topic: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
🎓 Is having a dual-certification in #SpecialEducation and general education better than having one certification? SPARC Center co-director @afgilmour.bsky.social and Tiffany Lam reviewed the research to learn more on this topic: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Looking forward to hearing more from my @SPARC_Center collaborators- we’ve learned a lot in a year that can help inform policymakers & practitioners!
Join the AEFP Policymakers & Practitioners Community Group for an interactive forum on Teacher Shortages & Vacancies in K-12 schools TODAY, from 1-2 EDT! Register today aefpweb.org/ev_calen...
August 28, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Looking forward to hearing more from my @SPARC_Center collaborators- we’ve learned a lot in a year that can help inform policymakers & practitioners!
Another report released on the shortage of #SpecialEducation teachers. The @SPARC_Center research team works with state leaders to investigate policies contributing to shortages, turnover, & instability.
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
Teacher Shortages by Subjects Across States
As a supplement to the State Teacher Shortages 2025 Update tool, this analyses includes data on the number of states reporting shortages by teaching area (i.e., special education, science, mathematics...
learningpolicyinstitute.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Another report released on the shortage of #SpecialEducation teachers. The @SPARC_Center research team works with state leaders to investigate policies contributing to shortages, turnover, & instability.
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
Prepping to explain to NYS members of Congress & anyone who will listen why we need to pay greater attention to #specialeducation workforce issues @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @cecmembership.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social
July 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Prepping to explain to NYS members of Congress & anyone who will listen why we need to pay greater attention to #specialeducation workforce issues @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @cecmembership.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social
What questions do you have about using state or district data to investigate #SpecialEducation workforce issues?
TOMORROW! 🚨
Don’t miss our webinar on how we define and track #SpecialEducation teachers in workforce data.
⏰ June 26 | 3pm ET
🔗 sparccenter.org/events/regis...
Don’t miss our webinar on how we define and track #SpecialEducation teachers in workforce data.
⏰ June 26 | 3pm ET
🔗 sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
What questions do you have about using state or district data to investigate #SpecialEducation workforce issues?
I’m sure I know a few doc students who might be interested! @cec-dr.bsky.social @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social
With generous support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Spencer Foundation, we are pleased to be offering the Just Education Policy Institute for doctoral students interested in research to reduce racial inequality in education policy this fall. Applications are open, due June 30.
June 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I’m sure I know a few doc students who might be interested! @cec-dr.bsky.social @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social
Excited to promote this @sparccenter.bsky.social session at the ECS National Forum on Ed Policy!
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
Full Agenda - 2025 National Forum on Education Policy
web.cvent.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Excited to promote this @sparccenter.bsky.social session at the ECS National Forum on Ed Policy!
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
Identifying who provides #specialeducation services in admin data can be challenging. Come learn from @sparccenter.bsky.social experts & our partners!
2️⃣ weeks out!
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Identifying who provides #specialeducation services in admin data can be challenging. Come learn from @sparccenter.bsky.social experts & our partners!
Join members of the SPARC Center (and me!) to learn more about studying #SpecialEducation teachers- we’ve got ideas & want to hear from you too! @cec-dr.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @aefpweb.bsky.social
There's a #SpecialEducation teacher shortage—but defining and identifying special education teachers varies by state and system. We’re unpacking the complexity in our upcoming webinar.
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Join members of the SPARC Center (and me!) to learn more about studying #SpecialEducation teachers- we’ve got ideas & want to hear from you too! @cec-dr.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @aefpweb.bsky.social
This should be GOOD! @aefpweb.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @cec-dr.bsky.social @aeraedresearch.bsky.social @dqcdata.bsky.social
There's a #SpecialEducation teacher shortage—but defining and identifying special education teachers varies by state and system. We’re unpacking the complexity in our upcoming webinar.
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
May 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Evidence on teacher shortages in Washington state from the @caldercenter.bsky.social helps motivate #SPARCCenter work to address #SpecialEducation workforce challenges. Prioritizing these issues is key to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
Teacher Shortages Are Improving—With Two Big Exceptions
New job posting data suggests staffing support needs to be targeted at particular areas.
www.edweek.org
March 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Evidence on teacher shortages in Washington state from the @caldercenter.bsky.social helps motivate #SPARCCenter work to address #SpecialEducation workforce challenges. Prioritizing these issues is key to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.