Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Awarded Federal Grant to Strengthen Special Education Workforce

Tuesday, August 18th, 2026 -- 9:00 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced it has been awarded a five-year, $10.5 million federal grant to strengthen Wisconsin’s special education workforce and help more special education teachers build careers in Wisconsin schools. 

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grant as part of its State Personnel Development Grant Program. The funding will support the Special Education Teacher Apprenticeship and Induction Retention System in Wisconsin (STAIRS-WI), a statewide initiative focused on recruiting, preparing, and retaining special educators.

“Wisconsin continues to face a critical teacher shortage and nowhere is that challenge more urgent than in special education,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “When we lose educators, it is our students who feel the greatest impact. Strengthening our schools begins with strengthening the teaching profession, and this grant is a major investment in that effort.”

The need is significant. According to the DPI’s latest Educator Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report, only 43% of special education teachers remain in Wisconsin public schools by their eighth year.

STAIRS-WI will support the DPI’s partnerships with the Department of Workforce Development and the Wisconsin Improvement Program for Special Education Leadership to expand “earn while you learn” apprenticeship opportunities like the teacher apprenticeship program and strengthen special education leadership and support systems.

The initiative will also support the DPI’s Special Educator Induction Program, along with special education leadership induction efforts, which provide first- and second-year special educators and emerging special education leaders with professional learning, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing support.

Over its first three years, the induction program has shown promising results. Participants have been retained at higher rates and reported increased skills, greater confidence in their practice, and stronger connections to their peers.

The new grant will allow Wisconsin to build on these efforts and strengthen the supports available to special educators at key points in their careers. “We are looking forward to this opportunity to work with our partners across Wisconsin to strengthen the special education workforce and support educators throughout their careers,” Dr. Underly said.

"Every student deserves access to a high-quality education, and that starts with ensuring our schools have talented, well-prepared educators who have the support they need to succeed.”

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