Working Conditions and Strategies to Support Special Education Teachers Serving Students with Intellectual Disability

It is vital to address the quality and working conditions of teachers and paraeducators serving students with an intellectual disability. The need to promote well-prepared teachers and paraeducators, as well as cultivate better working conditions, is crucial to improve outcomes for students with an intellectual disability and for diversifying the special education workforce. This chapter describes working conditions and the quality of teachers and paraeducators serving students with intellectual disability. Furthermore, the chapter explores individual and system-level strategies to promote better support for professionals that support students with intellectual disability. The chapter highlights the role of institutions of higher education and school districts in partnering to provide effective preparation and professional development to improve the quality of the professional workforce, including promoting collaboration between professionals across systems and creating a more welcoming and supportive culture to improve working conditions.