The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a virtual listening session to hear directly from the public about how teacher shortages are affecting students with disabilities. This session will build on what was shared during the Commission’s November 15, 2024, briefing entitled, “Federal Response to Teacher Shortage Impacts on Students with Disabilities” – which featured advocates, educators, and families talking about the challenges and solutions for this issue.
The Commission wants to hear from educators, parents, students, and community members about their experiences and ideas for improving access to education for students with disabilities. The public is also invited to submit written comments as we prepare our report; submit to teachershortage@usccr.gov no later than December 16, 2024.
DATE:
Friday, December 13, 2024, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm ET (Schedule subject to change)
WHO SHOULD REGISTER:
- Teachers and school staff
- Parents of students with disabilities
- Students impacted by teacher shortages
- Advocates and community members
WHY:
Teacher shortages across the United States have disproportionately affected students with disabilities, creating significant barriers to quality education and inclusive learning environments. Building on insights from the November 15 briefing, the Commission seeks to hear directly from the public to inform future findings and recommendations.
BACKGROUND:
On November 15, 2024, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a briefing titled “Federal Response to Teacher Shortage Impacts on Students with Disabilities.” Experts and community members talked about:
- The challenges schools face in finding enough qualified teachers.
- How the shortage impacts students with disabilities.
- Ideas for addressing the problem.
This listening session is a chance for the public to share their own experiences and thoughts to help the Commission continue its work on this important issue.
HOW TO REGISTER AS A PARTICIPANT:
Please fill out the form in the link below:
***The Public Listening Session will be live-streamed on the Commission’s YouTube page. ***
publicaffairs@usccr.gov