Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
@lmasonwms.bsky.social
Associate Prof, Binghamton University. Advocate for a prepared, representative, stable, & equitably distributed special ed workforce.
An essential step to building a strong special education workforce is designing policies at all levels that make them want to STAY.
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
States face different special education staffing challenges that require targeted responses | Brookings
Special education teacher turnover varies by state, calling for targeted, locally informed policy solutions.
www.brookings.edu
November 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
An essential step to building a strong special education workforce is designing policies at all levels that make them want to STAY.
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Excited to spread the word!
📢 NEW RESEARCH ALERT! The SPARC Center is excited to share THREE new resources with our findings from our first year of research on the #SpecialEducation teacher workforce.
Explore the resources in this thread, or visit our website to learn more: sparccenter.org
Explore the resources in this thread, or visit our website to learn more: sparccenter.org
October 30, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Excited to spread the word!
Such important work- with clear suggestions for how much still needs to be done! I hope a few doc students are paying attention- maybe a dissertation idea or two? @ted-cec.bsky.social
Excited to share a new publication with co-author Tiffany Lam- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Dual-Certification in Special Education and General Education. Read the full paper here- journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
October 3, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Such important work- with clear suggestions for how much still needs to be done! I hope a few doc students are paying attention- maybe a dissertation idea or two? @ted-cec.bsky.social
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Excited to circulate another @caldercenter.bsky.social WP! Another study from my dissertation, w/ @roddy-theobald.bsky.social. Using data from WA, we track individual paraeducators to predict exit from the state education workforce. Ungated WP here: tinyurl.com/3wtfrm2m
🧵 below:
🧵 below:
July 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Excited to circulate another @caldercenter.bsky.social WP! Another study from my dissertation, w/ @roddy-theobald.bsky.social. Using data from WA, we track individual paraeducators to predict exit from the state education workforce. Ungated WP here: tinyurl.com/3wtfrm2m
🧵 below:
🧵 below:
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
🎓 Is having a dual-certification in #SpecialEducation and general education better than having one certification? SPARC Center co-director @afgilmour.bsky.social and Tiffany Lam reviewed the research to learn more on this topic: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Sage Journals: Discover world-class research
Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.
journals.sagepub.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
🎓 Is having a dual-certification in #SpecialEducation and general education better than having one certification? SPARC Center co-director @afgilmour.bsky.social and Tiffany Lam reviewed the research to learn more on this topic: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Looking forward to hearing more from my @SPARC_Center collaborators- we’ve learned a lot in a year that can help inform policymakers & practitioners!
Join the AEFP Policymakers & Practitioners Community Group for an interactive forum on Teacher Shortages & Vacancies in K-12 schools TODAY, from 1-2 EDT! Register today aefpweb.org/ev_calen...
August 28, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Looking forward to hearing more from my @SPARC_Center collaborators- we’ve learned a lot in a year that can help inform policymakers & practitioners!
Another report released on the shortage of #SpecialEducation teachers. The @SPARC_Center research team works with state leaders to investigate policies contributing to shortages, turnover, & instability.
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
Teacher Shortages by Subjects Across States
As a supplement to the State Teacher Shortages 2025 Update tool, this analyses includes data on the number of states reporting shortages by teaching area (i.e., special education, science, mathematics...
learningpolicyinstitute.org
August 11, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Another report released on the shortage of #SpecialEducation teachers. The @SPARC_Center research team works with state leaders to investigate policies contributing to shortages, turnover, & instability.
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teac...
Prepping to explain to NYS members of Congress & anyone who will listen why we need to pay greater attention to #specialeducation workforce issues @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @cecmembership.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social
July 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
Prepping to explain to NYS members of Congress & anyone who will listen why we need to pay greater attention to #specialeducation workforce issues @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @cecmembership.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social
What questions do you have about using state or district data to investigate #SpecialEducation workforce issues?
TOMORROW! 🚨
Don’t miss our webinar on how we define and track #SpecialEducation teachers in workforce data.
⏰ June 26 | 3pm ET
🔗 sparccenter.org/events/regis...
Don’t miss our webinar on how we define and track #SpecialEducation teachers in workforce data.
⏰ June 26 | 3pm ET
🔗 sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
What questions do you have about using state or district data to investigate #SpecialEducation workforce issues?
I’m sure I know a few doc students who might be interested! @cec-dr.bsky.social @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social
With generous support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Spencer Foundation, we are pleased to be offering the Just Education Policy Institute for doctoral students interested in research to reduce racial inequality in education policy this fall. Applications are open, due June 30.
June 24, 2025 at 6:07 PM
I’m sure I know a few doc students who might be interested! @cec-dr.bsky.social @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social
Excited to promote this @sparccenter.bsky.social session at the ECS National Forum on Ed Policy!
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
Full Agenda - 2025 National Forum on Education Policy
web.cvent.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Excited to promote this @sparccenter.bsky.social session at the ECS National Forum on Ed Policy!
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
web.cvent.com/event/a08f74...
Identifying who provides #specialeducation services in admin data can be challenging. Come learn from @sparccenter.bsky.social experts & our partners!
2️⃣ weeks out!
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
#SpecialEducation teacher shortages can only be solved if we can define who is in the workforce. We’ll explore this during our upcoming webinar on June 26 at 3pm ET: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 13, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Identifying who provides #specialeducation services in admin data can be challenging. Come learn from @sparccenter.bsky.social experts & our partners!
Join members of the SPARC Center (and me!) to learn more about studying #SpecialEducation teachers- we’ve got ideas & want to hear from you too! @cec-dr.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @aefpweb.bsky.social
There's a #SpecialEducation teacher shortage—but defining and identifying special education teachers varies by state and system. We’re unpacking the complexity in our upcoming webinar.
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
June 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Join members of the SPARC Center (and me!) to learn more about studying #SpecialEducation teachers- we’ve got ideas & want to hear from you too! @cec-dr.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @aefpweb.bsky.social
This should be GOOD! @aefpweb.bsky.social @ted-cec.bsky.social @cec-dr.bsky.social @aeraedresearch.bsky.social @dqcdata.bsky.social
There's a #SpecialEducation teacher shortage—but defining and identifying special education teachers varies by state and system. We’re unpacking the complexity in our upcoming webinar.
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
🗓️ June 26 at 3pm ET
🔗 Register: sparccenter.org/events/regis...
May 29, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Evidence on teacher shortages in Washington state from the @caldercenter.bsky.social helps motivate #SPARCCenter work to address #SpecialEducation workforce challenges. Prioritizing these issues is key to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
Teacher Shortages Are Improving—With Two Big Exceptions
New job posting data suggests staffing support needs to be targeted at particular areas.
www.edweek.org
March 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Evidence on teacher shortages in Washington state from the @caldercenter.bsky.social helps motivate #SPARCCenter work to address #SpecialEducation workforce challenges. Prioritizing these issues is key to improving outcomes for students with disabilities.
Anyone else have Gov Pritzker on their 2028 possibilities bingo card??
Equity Arc, which trains young musicians of color, was set to play with the US Marine Band — until Trump's anti-DEI order canceled the show.
But Chicago stepped up, and now the students will perform at @chicagosymphony.bsky.social on 4/6. Grab a free ticket and join me in cheering them on. cso.org
But Chicago stepped up, and now the students will perform at @chicagosymphony.bsky.social on 4/6. Grab a free ticket and join me in cheering them on. cso.org
April 3, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Anyone else have Gov Pritzker on their 2028 possibilities bingo card??
We need families to engage in #specialEducation workforce discussions now more than ever!
The shortage of #SpecialEducation teachers affects services for many students with disabilities. @afgilmour.bsky.social, @lizbettini.bsky.social, and @lmasonwms.bsky.social share ways families and advocates can help. ldaamerica.org/how-the-spec...
How the Special Education Teacher Shortage Affects Students with LD, and What to Do About it – Learning Disabilities Association of America
ldaamerica.org
March 25, 2025 at 2:21 PM
We need families to engage in #specialEducation workforce discussions now more than ever!
Exciting news @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @tedcec.bsky.social - a district judge ruled in favor of reinstating teacher prep grants canceled a few weeks ago- things like TQP & SEED grants! YAY!!
a baby is crying while being held by a woman in a crowd .
ALT: a baby is crying while being held by a woman in a crowd .
media.tenor.com
March 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Exciting news @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social @tedcec.bsky.social - a district judge ruled in favor of reinstating teacher prep grants canceled a few weeks ago- things like TQP & SEED grants! YAY!!
Couldn’t agree more! @sparccenter
dataqualitycampaign.org/the-so-what-...
dataqualitycampaign.org/the-so-what-...
The So What: What We’re Watching, Week of March 10 | DQC
If the federal government no longer supports and produces data and research, states—and districts—will be forced to go it alone at significant cost, including capacity and time.
dataqualitycampaign.org
March 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Couldn’t agree more! @sparccenter
dataqualitycampaign.org/the-so-what-...
dataqualitycampaign.org/the-so-what-...
Today is THE DAY!! Looking forward to the first of many opportunities to engage w/partners! Come to hear what we’re learning abt the #specialeducation workforce!
🚨 It’s tomorrow! 🚨
The #SPARCCenter Launch Event is happening March 11, 2025, from 1-2pm ET! Join us and hear from some of our experts on #SpecialEducation research, leadership, and more!
👉 Register now: tinyurl.com/SPARCLaunch
The #SPARCCenter Launch Event is happening March 11, 2025, from 1-2pm ET! Join us and hear from some of our experts on #SpecialEducation research, leadership, and more!
👉 Register now: tinyurl.com/SPARCLaunch
March 11, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Today is THE DAY!! Looking forward to the first of many opportunities to engage w/partners! Come to hear what we’re learning abt the #specialeducation workforce!
Really interesting work & super relevant to @sparccenter.bsky.social work- still demand & unmet supply needs in special ed!
Here's a new @caldercenter.bsky.social working paper with @cedr.bsky.social & Grace Falken on supply and demand in the postpandemic teacher labor market that I'll be presenting at the CALDER Conference next Wednesday!
Paper: tinyurl.com/2ep57xsk
Conference: tinyurl.com/mtvub37s
Abstract and 🧵 ⬇️!
Paper: tinyurl.com/2ep57xsk
Conference: tinyurl.com/mtvub37s
Abstract and 🧵 ⬇️!
March 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Really interesting work & super relevant to @sparccenter.bsky.social work- still demand & unmet supply needs in special ed!
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Check out these FREE lesson guides, problem sets, and vocabulary cards - all focused on addition of whole numbers. buff.ly/437YW4c
March 6, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Check out these FREE lesson guides, problem sets, and vocabulary cards - all focused on addition of whole numbers. buff.ly/437YW4c
I chair the BEST committee!! This is just a few reps of the AMAZING team working to ensure TED members are at the table and NOT on the menu.
Come see me and some other great folks from our Committee!
Coming to #CEC2025? Come see us to chat about the latest #edpolicy happenings, resources, & more! #sped #specialed #specialeducation #teacher #teachered #advocacy
March 5, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I chair the BEST committee!! This is just a few reps of the AMAZING team working to ensure TED members are at the table and NOT on the menu.
Reposted by Loretta (Lucky) Mason-Williams
Learn about cross-state analyses, upcoming research, and leadership strategies aimed at strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce at the @sparccenter.bsky.social's upcoming Launch Event.
🗓️March 11 | 1 pm EST
📍Virtual
✏️Register: www.air.org/centers/spec...
🗓️March 11 | 1 pm EST
📍Virtual
✏️Register: www.air.org/centers/spec...
March 3, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Learn about cross-state analyses, upcoming research, and leadership strategies aimed at strengthening the #SpecialEducation workforce at the @sparccenter.bsky.social's upcoming Launch Event.
🗓️March 11 | 1 pm EST
📍Virtual
✏️Register: www.air.org/centers/spec...
🗓️March 11 | 1 pm EST
📍Virtual
✏️Register: www.air.org/centers/spec...
So many exciting things going on: @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social #advocacy tomorrow AND the @sparccenter.bsky.social launch next week- looking forward to interacting with so many people!!
a man in a robe is sitting in a chair with his arms in the air and smiling .
ALT: a man in a robe is sitting in a chair with his arms in the air and smiling .
media.tenor.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:06 AM
So many exciting things going on: @cec-ted-policy.bsky.social #advocacy tomorrow AND the @sparccenter.bsky.social launch next week- looking forward to interacting with so many people!!