A Model for an Online Program Preparing Rural Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services

Abstract This article describes a model in special education personnel preparation designed to respond to needs in rural areas for fully licensed Director of Special Education and Pupil Services administrators. The program utilizes a fully online course format and also requires participants to complete a supervised practicum in their school districts. Rigorous admission requirements and extensive involvement of retired or presently employed Directors of Special Education maintain quality and have allowed for efficiency in this state approved program. This program has graduated over 60 candidates across 3 years. Keywords: administrator preparation, rural needs, online instruction Challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified special education teachers have been discussed and addressed by many investigators, state offices of education, and federal initiatives. While these issues are evident nationally they are most noticeable and persistent in rural school districts in the United States. Critical and ongoing shortages and difficulties in retention of qualified personnel have not been limited to a need for classroom special education teachers. Fischer and Swanger (2005) noted that recruitment, retention, and supply of special education program administrators are also significant challenges nationally. As with special education classroom teachers, these concerns seem to be particularly evident and difficult to address in rural areas of the United States. A systems view of personnel resources incorporates the four dimensions of supply, demand, recruitment, and retention (Fischer & Swanger, 2005). In this article, we discuss the development and ongoing implementation of a program that targets the supply component of this process. Our approach incorporates standards of best practice, meets state regulations, and builds upon previous experiences of program participants through selective admissions procedures. In addition, the use of an online delivery format with a practicum capstone experience in the home district of program participants responds effectively to some of the unique demands of our rural service areas in Wisconsin. Rationale for the Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Program (DSEPS) Wisconsin law mandates every school district employ a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services. In Wisconsin, an estimated 65% of current Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services are 50+ years old and are expected to retire in the next few years. The need for Directors of Special Education and Pupil Services, as evidenced by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Supply and Demand of Educator Personnel in Wisconsin Public Schools (Fischer & Swanger, 2005), indicates an average to above average need over the past several years. Another issue that compounds the challenge of supply is recruitment and retention. Rural schools typically have a difficult time attracting and retaining teachers and administrators. Small schools often are seen as stepping stones to suburban schools where there is better pay, possibly fewer classes for which to prepare, and other perks (Beesley, Atwill, Blair, & Barley, 2008). The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UW-Eau Claire) Department of Special Education developed this program after receiving numerous inquiries related to the proposed Director of Special Education and Pupil Services program. UW-Eau Claire received support from the Wisconsin Council for Administrators of Special Services (WCASS) and numerous school administrators in the region, as well as the UW- Eau Claire faculty and upper administrators. Our goal was to develop a program that responded to the need for well-prepared administrators while addressing the realities of recruitment (and hopefully retention) in rural settings. Rural Wisconsin Rural Wisconsin and the areas' agriculture systems are vital to the state's economy. …