The demand for special education services is increasing, particularly in the wake of the pandemic, according to eSchool News. Staff who provide those services, however, are becoming fewer and farther between. In 2023, 65 percent of schools across the nation reported difficulty in hiring special educators. Now, schools are exploring new approaches, like teletherapy, that efficiently address service gaps and increased student learning needs.
In this Q&A, Dr. Barbara Jenkins, who has over 30 years of experience serving the diverse needs of students, including as the former superintendent of Orange County Schools in Florida, discusses some of the hurdles school leaders and special educators face and provides insights on embracing technology to serve all students.
Staff shortages continue to plague schools across the country. What are some of the strategies and solutions that you’ve seen schools explore and be effective?
“We have to be creative around the use of technology to expand and multiply the ability to provide special education services – whether it’s occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, mental health counseling, and even tutoring.
How do you see teletherapy being useful for schools?
“There is no way to provide the services needed by the archaic means of some poor school psychologist or speech pathologist or occupational therapist going from school to school to school. It just will not improve unless we take advantage of technology.
Can you share thoughts on how AI can and should be considered in an education setting?
“Ignoring artificial intelligence would be like ignoring and denying the internet when it first became. It has to be our future or we will get run over by that train.
“It has the ability and the potential to transform K -12 education as we know it. I think of it as a tool for teachers–not as a replacement for teachers–but a means of multiplying exponentially good practices of individual teachers to serve more students.
Why do you think more schools should embrace technology-based solutions?
“Schools should embrace the use of technology to provide student services because it is the only means we have available to overcome the shortages of staff and provide individualized services with precision.
eSchool News
