Special Education Teacher Shortages

In The Politics of Autism, I write about special education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

In Honolulu, Manolo Morales reports at KHON:

Experts say a 12-year-old special education student allegedly choked by his teacher on Hawaii island brings to light a bigger problem: a severe shortage of properly trained teachers.

So what's causing that, and what can be done to fix the problem?

Officials at the University of Hawaii College of Education say there are enough graduates every year to fill the need. The problem is they don't stay in special education very long.

Diana Lambert at EdSource:

California has earmarked nearly $200 million over the last four years to address the state’s persistent teacher shortage, but it is not enough, according to new studies that are part of “Getting Down to Facts II,” a research project focused on a wide array of statewide education issues.

The teacher shortage has worsened in recent years as state funding for education improved and districts began lowering class sizes and bringing back programs like summer school and the arts, which were frequently eliminated during the recession, increasing the need for more teachers.

Declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs after the economic downturn and teacher attrition also have contributed to the shortage of educators. Teacher turnover currently accounts for 88 percent of the demand for new teachers, according to the research.

“The story is still bleak,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO of the Learning Policy Institute and the author of “Teacher Shortages in California: Evidence about Current Status, Sources, and Potential Solutions,” one of the research project’s 36 reports released this week. The reports were written by more than 100 authors, including many prominent researchers from California

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

Quick Facts: Special Education Teachers
2017 Median Pay	$58,980 per year
Typical Entry-Level Education	Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2016	439,300
Job Outlook, 2016-26	8% (As fast as average)
Employment Change, 2016-26	33,300

What Special Education Teachers Do
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.
Work Environment
Most special education teachers work in public schools, teaching students from preschool to high school. Others work in private schools, childcare services, and other institutions. Many work the traditional 10-month school year, but some work year round.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers in public schools are required to have a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license. Teachers in private schools typically need a bachelor’s degree, but may not be required to have a state license or certification.
Pay
The median annual wage for special education teachers was $58,980 in May 2017.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. School enrollment and the demand for special education services should drive employment growth.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for special education teachers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of special education teachers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn mo

A Vaccine Bill in Hawaii

In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the discredited theory that vaccines cause autism.

Marina Riker reports at AP:

After listening to Hawaii residents speak out against vaccines and saying they cause everything from autism to the Zika virus, Hawaii lawmakers killed a bill to speed up the state’s process for adopting federal vaccination guidelines.

The bill would have allowed the state Health Department to more easily adopt the federal rules, which some opponents of the measure fear would result in more vaccinations. Under the bill considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health, the department would have 90 days to adopt rules.

Immediately after hearing opposition to the bill, Sen. Rosalyn Baker said today it wouldn’t move forward. Her announcement came before the usual time when lawmakers decide on the bills.

Baker said the bill didn’t pass because there seemed to be “so much confusion and a lot of misinformation” about what it would do.

...
 Vaccinations are a hot-button issue across the nation. For decades, critics have said vaccines can cause debilitating side effects — most notably autism, which scientific research has debunked.

Hawaii Governor Signs Insurance Mandate

The Politics of Autism includes an extensive discussion of insurance legislation in the states.

Autism Speaks reports:

Hawaii Governor David Ige has signed a landmark autism insurance reform bill, making Hawaii the 42nd state to require certain health insurance plans to cover treatment for autism spectrum disorders.

SB 791, sponsored by Senator Josh Green (D-Kohala/Kona), requires state-regulated insurance plans to cover medically necessary treatment for autism including behavioral health treatment, psychiatric, psychological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic care. The legislation also requires plans to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) with a maximum of $25,000 per year through 13 years of age.
...

"Luke's Law will have a more positive and direct impact on people's lives in Hawaii than any other bill that we passed this year. The thousands of people in Hawaii with autism have better lives, and their families and friends will get to watch them thrive,” said State Senator Josh Green, M.D.

Earlier this month, Governor Ige enacted SB 40, which requires licensure of behavior analysts and funds the implementation of a Behavior Analyst board. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the leading treatment to bring about meaningful and positive change in behavior for individuals with autism.

...
Families impacted by autism in Hawaii also recently celebrated the enactment of, HB 119, ABLE Savings programs to allow families the opportunity to set up tax-exempt 529A savings accounts for disability-related expenses. Read more here.

Is 2015 the Year for a Hawaii Mandate?

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports (via Insurance News Net):

After years of trying, advocates for children with autism are hopeful that the Legislature will pass a bill requiring medical insurance companies to provide coverage for diagnosis and treatment.

Hawaii is one of only 12 states that do not require health insurance coverage for children with autism, said Lorri Shealy Unumb, vice president of state government affairs for the national advocacy group Autism Speaks.

"I think the states are realizing that this is a fiscal and moral imperative," Unumb, the mother of an autistic child, said at a joint hearing of the Senate Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees Friday.

The two committees moved out Senate Bill 791, which requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for autism diagnosis and treatment for children until age 11 and a total lifetime maximum benefit of about $220,000.

Senate Health Chairman Josh Green (D, Naalehu-Kailua-Kona), who introduced the bill, said parties from the health insurance industry and the advocacy groups worked with him to reach a compromise after a similar measure died in the closing days of the 2014 Legislature.

"I really believe that this is the year that it's going to pass," he said after Friday's hearing.

Autism and Medicaid: Recent Developments

Autism Speaks reports:

In response to a July directive from the federal government to step up Medicaid-funded treatment for autism, a number of states are quickly moving forward to add benefits for behavioral health treatment. One state--Hawai'i--has been hit with a class action suit for failing to provide the coverage.

The Autism Speaks Legal Resource Center (ASLRC) has been working with advocates and state officials from around the country on implementing the July 7 directive from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), said Dan Unumb, ASLRC's executive director.

One-third of all children with autism receive primary insurance coverage through Medicaid; including secondary coverage, half of all American children with autism are impacted. Medicaid is a joint federal/state program.

"This a game-changer for the autism community," Unumb said. "How soon this will play out in each state and kids get treatment remains to be seen, but the ball is moving down the field."

Among the highlights since the CMS announcement was issued:

• California has moved forward with plans to require coverage of behavioral health treatment, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), starting Monday. An estimated 12,000 children will gain coverage through Medi-Cal, including 6,000 who currently have no coverage for treatment.
• Nevada is hosting a public workshop today to start implementing behavioral health treatment coverage through its Medicaid program. Based on the public input and further review, the state will submit a Medicaid plan change to CMS for approval.
• Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has directed his administration to develop a "full range" of autism treatments, including ABA, to be covered through the state's Medicaid program. Further details are to be provided in October at a meeting of the Autism Spectrum Disorders Advisory Council.
• A federal class action suit has been filed against Hawai'i for denying ABA benefits through its Medicaid program for autism treatment. The complaint, Egan v McManaman, estimates that 1,500 to 1,900 children under the age of 21 would be affected.

Insurance Developments in Kansas and Hawaii

Autism Speaks reports:

Autism Speaks endorsed legislation introduced in Kansas to expand autism insurance benefits provided since 2010 to state employees to cover more families.

The bill was introduced by Rep. John Rubin (R-Shawnee)  and would require coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autism, including applied behavior analysis (ABA), for certain private health plans affecting hundreds of Kansas families. The bill was introduced with 34 cosponsors.

"Autism Speaks joins the Kansas autism community in commending Representative Rubin for his leadership on behalf of our kids," said Mike Wasmer, Autism Speaks' associate director of state government affairs, and a Kansas resident. "The pilot program for state employees was an overwhelming success and families across Kansas have waited too long for the same benefits to become available to them as well."

Rubin's bill would require autism coverage by fully funded large group plans and "grandfathered" small group and individual plans. The measure has been referred to the House Insurance Committee.

Autism Speaks also reports:

A 2014 Hawai'i autism insurance reform bill was voted out of two Senate committees yesterday with amendments sought by Autism Speaks to strengthen its provisions.
Sponsored by Senators Josh Green, Suzanne Chun Oakland and Russell Ruderman, the bill

SB.2054 was voted out of the Senate's Health, and Commerce and Consumer Protection committees. It would require state-regulated health plans to cover up to $50,000 a year for the screening, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment, including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), of autism up to age 21.

Amendments sought by Autism Speaks to protect the state from potential cost-triggering requirements under the Affordable Care Act, allowing the use of supervised staff to provide ABA, and other changes were approved by the committees. A competing bill opposed by Autism Speaks, SB.2578, was held by the lawmakers, led by Sen. Rosalyn Baker [right], who chairs the Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee.

Mike Wasmer, Autism Speaks' associate director of state government affairs, commended Hawai'i's autism community for providing strong testimony to the committee that helped improve the bill.

In addition to ABA treatment, the bill would require coverage for autism-related psychiatric, psychological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic care, such as speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Hawaii Mandate Bill

A Wednesday release from Autism Speaks:

Autism Speaks today endorsed SB.2054, the 2014 Hawaii autism insurance reform bill which, if enacted, would make Hawaii the 35th state to require many health plans to cover applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other therapies for autism.

Introduced by Senators Josh Green, who chairs the Senate Health Committee, Suzanne Chun Oakland and Russell Ruderman, the bill is similar to a measure that passed both houses of the Legislature last year, but then failed to clear conference committee. SB.2054 would require state-regulated health plans to cover up to $50,000 a year for the screening, diagnosis and evidence-based treatment of autism up to age 21.

...
In addition to ABA treatment, the bill would require coverage for autism-related psychiatric, psychological, pharmaceutical and therapeutic care, such as speech, occupational and physical therapy.

...
Minnesota, Oregon and the District of Columbia enacted reform laws last year; bills this year will be considered in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and other states.

TRICARE Reports

KHON-TV in Hawaii reports that recent TRICARE changes could hurt some military families:

“Because of ABA therapy, we had a lot of hope and now I feel like that’s being taken away,” [autism mother Zebonee] Bongiorno said.

One of the major issues is the required waiver application if treatment exceeds two years.

“Our biggest concern is if there is going to be an interruption in services because we need the continuity,” mother Jennifer Frazier said.

TRICARE says, “Although ABA is not limited to a set number of years, additional ABA beyond two years requires approval by the regional contractor medical director.”

“We don’t know what we are going to do. Really, we don’t know,” Bongiorno said.

Some lawmakers in our nation’s Capitol have called upon TRICARE to review their new rules.

Phone calls to TRICARE officials were not returned.

WTKR in Virginia reports that some parents plan on demonstrating against the new policy:


See the Facebook page of Navigation Behavioral Consulting.

Autism Bills in Maine and Hawaii

In Maine, the Kennebec Journal reports on new legislation, using the anecdote of a Addie Bowen, a young Mainer with ASD:

Now a bill in the Maine Legislature would help more families access the specialized speech, language, occupational and physical therapies that Addie receives, known as Applied Behavior Analysis, as well as other professional developmental services.

Maine joined a national trend in 2010 when it passed legislation requiring private health insurance companies to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders in children through age 5. The bill before the Insurance and Financial Services Committee would push the coverage requirement to age 21.

Proponents say the bill is intended to ensure a continuum of care for children who have autism but aren't covered by MaineCare, the state's form of Medicaid, and who may live in school districts where autism programs are limited.

"When you look at the range and variety of individual circumstances of people who have autism in Maine, we have children and young adults who can only get so much through our public schools," said Sen. Emily Cain, D-Orono, one of the bill's sponsors.

The insurance committee has yet to schedule a hearing on the bill.

Maui Now reports on a mandate bill in Hawaii:

A bill that would require coverage and benefits for patients with autism spectrum disorders passed committee approval in the state House today.

The House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce unanimously adopted HB721, which requires that state-regulated health plans cover the diagnosis and treatment of autism, including Applied Behavioral Analysis.

The bill was originally heard last week in a hearing that featured testimony from an 8-year-old boy named Luke, who was diagnosed with autism. During his testimony, Luke’s difficulties in communicating with others was observed firsthand by legislators as he asked for the help that he needs to better navigate the social world.

“The testimony of the brave young boy clearly illustrated the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder,” said CPC Chair Angus McKelvey of Maui.

The bill, now being referred to as “Luke’s Law” is designed to equip children with the social skill set needed to better interact with others and enrich their lives.

Hawaii Mandate Bill

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports:

A bill that would require health insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment for autism is poised for passage next week by two Senate committees, a move intended to help youngsters get vital early therapy.

"We think it's time to take action and make significant inroads on autism," Sen. Josh Green, Health Committee chairman, said Wednesday after conferring with Sen. Rosalyn Baker, chairwoman of the Consumer Protection Committee, at a joint hearing. "We do intend to move the bill forward."

A vote on Senate Bill 2631 is set for Tuesday during a joint meeting of the Health and Consumer Protection committees.

If the bill is ultimately passed and signed into law, Hawaii would join a growing number of states that are requiring private insurers to cover treatment for autism. At least 29 states have passed such legislation, most in the past five years, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Autism Speaks supports the legislation.

Autism in Hawaii

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports:

Through the last decade, the number of public school students with autism has doubled to more than 1,200 even as the total number of special-needs students has dropped.

And some parents say that growth is outpacing increases in services.

Those frustrations can be seen in due-process claims parents file when they disagree with the services offered for their child.

Last school year, 38 percent of the 148 requests for due process statewide were filed on behalf of children with autism, who make up 6 percent of the public schools' special-education population.

...

The department could not comment on specific cases. But officials did say that schools are many times doing their best, and sometimes parents can make unreasonable requests, call for therapies that are untested or get misinformation from others about what schools have to offer.

Education officials noted that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act mandates a free appropriate public education but does not mandate the best education.

The department did say annual spending on autism is considerable.

In 2008-09 the department spent $22 million on its autism programs alone. Additional funds were also spent on autistic students through other programs.

By comparison, students with a "specific learning disability" make up the largest percentage of special-needs youth, numbering about 8,000 last year. But only 17 due-process requests were filed for the group in 2009-10.