Personnel
Personnel topic editor: Kathy Whaley
Families and their children with special developmental needs should receive effective and appropriate services and supports provided by adequate numbers of qualified personnel. However, shortages of qualified personnel to provide early intervention, early childhood special education and related services exist in many areas of the country. Availability of qualified personnel that are culturally competent and representative of the increasing diversity of children and families they will serve is an issue as well.
In an effort to address the need for adequate numbers of qualified personnel in early intervention, early childhood special education and special education, IDEA contains specific requirements and specially funded grants to support the availability and capabilities of personnel in the states and territories.
OSEP Resources
National Centers and Grants
National Professional Development Center on Inclusion (NPDCI)- National Center for Special Education Personnel and Related Service Providers (Personnel Center)
- National Center to Inform Policy and Practice in Special Education Professional Development (NCIPP)
- Center to Inform Personnel Preparation Policy and Practice in Early Intervention and Preschool Education
- National Center for Personnel Preparation in Special Education at Minority Institutions of Higher Education ( Monarch Center)
- Center for Improving Teacher Quality
- Center on Personnel Studies in Special Education (COPSSE)
- IRIS Center for Faculty Enhancement at Vanderbilt University
- OSEP-funded early childhood personnel preparation grants (refine your search by state, topic, staff, or year using NECTAC's Projects Finder.
National Data
- IDEAdata presents the most recent State-reported personnel data available collected by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs as required under Section 618 of IDEA.
- Teachers employed (FTE) to work with children, ages 3 through 5, who are receiving special education under IDEA, Part B, by qualification status and state.
- Paraprofessionals employed (FTE) to work with children, ages 3 through 5, who are receiving special education under IDEA, Part B, by qualification status and state.
- Personnel employed (FTE) to provide related services to children and students ages 3 through 21 under IDEA, Part B, by certification status and state.
Sub-topic Pages
- IDEA regulations for personnel
- State TA systems to support personnel development
- Paraprofessional resources
- Preparing personnel to meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse families
- Recruiting and retaining the early intervention and early childhood special education workforce
- Standards and licensure
- Statewide Personnel Systems: CSPD, SPDG
- Professional Roles and Disciplines
- Personnel Development for Inclusion
- NECTAC publications on Personnel
