THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

Visionary Voices: Innovative solutions to combat learning loss

February 13, 2024

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The challenges: education, interrupted

Despite an increasing need for special education services, 65 percent of schools across the nation reported difficulty hiring special educators as of 2023. Inequitable access to clinicians, lack of funding, and staffing shortages come with heavy consequences for students, too. Going without necessary educational interventions subjects children to learning loss–one of the most developmentally devastating effects of school shutdowns during COVID-19. Now, schools are tasked with exploring new approaches that efficiently address service gaps and increased student learning needs.

Technology as a solution

Unprecedented times call for inventive solutions. Hear Dr. Barbara Jenkins, former superintendent of Orange County Schools, Florida, deconstruct the day-to-day hurdles that school leaders and special educators face, plus actionable insights on serving diverse student needs with technology.

Get key industry outlooks on:

Building a strong pipeline of education leaders
Expanding on-site service bandwidth with teletherapy
Artificial intelligence and education

Three beacons of hope

Despite new obstacles entering the education space, Dr. Jenkins cites commitment, innovation, and resilience as key reasons for hope in our students’ futures. Explore the insight behind this optimistic outlook and learn how today’s challenges can be used to inspire practical, equitable special education strategies.

“I think the call to action is simple. If K-12 education is not only to survive but thrive, we have to pursue new and innovative ways of providing services.”

Dr. Barbara Jenkins

Former superintendent of Orange County Schools, Florida

More Visionary Voices

Looking for more takeaways on hot topics like learning loss, PreK-12 staffing shortages, and leadership that puts people first? We’ve got more inspiring videos, each packed with invaluable insights and strategies from education’s brightest minds.

Introducing today's voices

Dr. Barbara Jenkins

Former superintendent of Orange County Schools, Florida

Dr. Barbara Jenkins has been dedicated to serving the needs of students for over 30 years. In 2012, she was named superintendent for Orange County Public Schools, the eighth largest district in the nation, and received both a presidential appointment to the National Board of Education Sciences and The Baldrige Foundation’s Award for Leadership Excellence during her tenure. Dr. Jenkins is currently a chief in residence and leads the Chiefs for Change Women in Leadership initiative, a national bipartisan group of district and state education leaders dedicated to the success of our nation’s youth.

ABOUT THE VISIONARY VOICES SERIES

Visionary Voices sheds light on both the challenges and opportunities facing schools today. Through conversations with veteran education leaders, we explore solutions that empower, enlighten, and enrich all those committed to serving students with diverse needs.

Join us for in-depth fireside chats with educators, experts, advocates, and more. In each one-on-one conversation, we delve into a wide range of themes—from driving innovation to leading through change and supporting school communities. Get inspired by the real-life experiences of each of our Visionary Voices special guests.

Visionary Voices: Up Close asks education leaders key questions of the day. In each short episode, you’ll hear from a diverse group of leaders in the #WomenLeadingEd community on what drives, inspires, and helps them—from recommended reads to podcasts and career-changing resources.

Listen to these thought-provoking interviews to learn, be inspired, and drive positive impacts. Together, we’re transforming obstacles into opportunities and reimagining a future where every student can thrive.

SOURCES

Students with disabilities were among those most severely affected by COVID-19’s disruption of schools and communities.
Source: Blad, Evie. “Special Education During the Pandemic, in Charts.” Education Week. 17 October 2022. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/special-education-during-the-pandemic-in-charts/2022/10
In 2023, only 29% of teens reported feeling satisfied with their mental health.
Source: “Teens and Their Schooling Perspectives.” Morning Consult and EdChoice Spring 2023. https://edchoice.morningconsultintelligence.com/assets/221187.pdf
65% of public schools in the United States reported being understaffed in special education.
Source: “Special Educator Shortage: Examining Teacher Burnout and Mental Health.” Institute of Education Sciences. 22 May 2023. https://ies.ed.gov/blogs/research/post/special-educator-shortage-examining-teacher-burnout-and-mental-health
The number of children with IEPs has doubled in the last 45 years. That’s representing over 7 million students, which is about 15% of the K-12 student population.
Source: Pendharkar, Eesha. “The Number of Students in Special Education Has Doubled in the Past 45 Years.” Education Week. 31 July 2023. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/the-number-of-students-in-special-education-has-doubled-in-the-past-45-years/2023/07