In 2024–2025, there were 82,000 special education students enrolled in Kansas public schools. Over ten years ago, that was 12,000 more.
With 500,000 students enrolled in Kansas public schools, the 12,000-student increase is hardly a significant portion. However, teachers who are already overworked are facing additional obligations due to the increasing rise in special education students.
Ryan Alliman, executive director of student support services at Wichita Public Schools, expressed the district’s sentiment.
The rise is part of a larger educational trend. Longer days and more difficult work are the results of teachers managing more students with less assistance. Districts are want to add more employees, but they are having trouble finding competent candidates.
This cycle results in burnout.
“I realize that this may sound repetitive,” Alliman added. I do believe that our teachers experience burnout.
Between 2015 and 2025:
- Wichita Public Schools went from 7,035 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act students, or IDEA, to 8,479 IDEA students.
- Olathe went from 3,720 IDEA students to 4,638 IDEA students.
- Shawnee Mission went from 2,601 IDEA students to 3,294 IDE students.
- Blue Valley went from 2,320 IDEA students to 3,066 IDEA students.
Although teaching is difficult, special education teachers deal with particular difficulties. When a student shoved a teacher in Texas, the teacher was slain. Others who have managed students have bite marks, bruises, and concussions.
Teachers informed Texas Public Radio that not all of these students are harmful. However, these student populations might require additional staff. Staff may need to handle behavioral outbursts or take children to the restroom.
A teacher informed Texas Public Radio that they might require a cool-down outside of class. After that, only one person remains in the classroom as one person leaves with them. Additionally, there is no way to move people about without additional staff. They are now short-staffed, so we have to call someone from somewhere else.
The constantly rising figure, according to JaKyta Lawrie, executive director of special education at Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, is the result of better awareness among teachers and families, early identification of students who require additional care, and the growing complexity of student requirements.
Though the total number has somewhat decreased over the past ten years, her district has also witnessed a rise in special education children in recent years.
According to Lawrie, staff members have been impacted by the rising demand, thus the district has engaged contractors to cover shortages. By collaborating with universities and providing more assistance to retain employees, the district is attempting to strengthen its recruitment efforts. Special education employees at Wichita Public Schools are now eligible for higher compensation.
Special education teachers are in high demand throughout the state, according to Sara Schwerdtfeger, dean of Emporia State University’s teachers college. The need for teachers has grown as a result of a wave of retirements following the COVID outbreak.
Teachers cannot simply pick up a special education degree at any time. According to Schwerdtfeger, it requires further education, which varies but often lasts two years.
To assist students enter the field more quickly, Emporia State is launching accelerated courses and a new degree program. And there’s cause for optimism.
More aspiring education majors are interested in special education, according to Schwerdtfeger. That might help with the shortages, but it’s by no means the answer.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was only one solution that applied to everyone? “I said,” she said. The state of Kansas is experiencing a teacher shortage. Therefore, there will be a void in other areas if these teachers who could be filling general education (openings) shift to the special education field.
