A Special Education
Teacher Retention
Resource Toolkit
The school environment influences teacher’s decisions regarding the classroom. When teachers perceive that they have the support needed to do their work, know what is expected of them, have opportunities to improve their skills, and therefore feel empowered to make important decisions about their classrooms and programs, they may feel less overwhelmed by the substantial challenges of teaching students with disabilities (Recruitment and Retention of Texas Special Educators: Sources, Strategies, Programs, and Evidence of Effectiveness, IS-UP, 2002, p. 16).