Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
Summer 2026
Abstract
Goal Statement:
The goal is to prevent staff shortages of special education and student support professionals in Martin County, FL, and advocate for systemic changes that improve staff retention, raise awareness, and expand special education resources.
Significant Findings:
The shortage of ESE resources in Martin County, Florida, is affecting students’ success outcomes and relationships between parents and educators. With a 42% turnover rate over the past four years, the district needs to drastically improve teacher retention (WPBF 25 News, 2023). The western zone of Indiantown, which has a minority population of Hispanic and Latino students, is critically affected (United States Census, n.d.). The School Board found that the primary reasons for teacher turnover are inadequate pay and benefits and insufficient support. By raising awareness, educating parents, working with community organizations, and fostering stronger parent-teacher relationships, parent advocates can push for increased funding, teacher support programs, policies that support teacher retention, and more ESE programs.
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps:
The Parent Training and Information Model is an evidence-based program that aligns with the Communication Theory and focuses on educating and empowering parents to advocate on behalf of their child and other children receiving ESE services (Gilmour et al, n.d.). By providing face-to-face workshops, online meetings, and PTA meetings, parents can understand the problem and learn how to advocate for their child and the district. These meetings can teach parents how to advocate for funding through the IDEA Act at School Board meetings and before policymakers. The creation of a wellness committee for teachers to provide strategies to prevent burnout and reduce teacher turnover. Community organizations, such as the local state college, Indian River State College (IRSC), can create programs placing student interns in schools to support teachers and conduct in-home visits. News organizations can raise awareness of the shortage and facilitate volunteer support for teachers in the classroom. Spanish-language materials, translators, and community organizations can be used to build parent-teacher relationships and educate teachers and the school board about Hispanic culture to eliminate implicit bias among those in the Village of Indiantown.
