IPTN Resource Center

The Inclusionary Practices Technical Network (IPTN) is dedicated to improving educational outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and Black students with disabilities. When we address the needs of the most marginalized students, it benefits all students, educators, families, and communities. IPTN promotes inclusive practices by providing valuable resources, data, and tools for all partners, including students, families, educators, community members, and technical assistance providers. 

IPTN strives to create an inclusive environment by fostering collaboration across different groups. Use this resource center to: 

  • Learn why inclusion is essential, particularly for students with disabilities, and how it supports educational success for all students.
  • Utilize tools, materials, and professional learning opportunities focused on promoting inclusion for students with IDD and Black students with disabilities.
  • Explore state and district-level data to track inclusion efforts and inform strategies for improvement.
  • Keep up with the latest news, updates, and success stories about inclusion in schools and districts across Washington.
  • Engage with the IPTN's strategic plan, share best practices, and provide feedback to support ongoing improvement and the effectiveness of inclusion efforts.
  • Network with community partners, educators, and districts to promote inclusion and ensure all students are supported in their educational journey.

Resource Center

Title and Description Resource Type Topics Source

"Grow Your Own" Resources
Districts can find motivated, well-qualified teacher candidates by supporting and mobilizing local community members such as paraeducators, career changers, and young people to enter the teaching profession. These resources will help you gather information to grow your own teachers, including curriculum, tools, templates, and research.

 Resource Library Educator Recruitment and Retention PESB

Solving the Teacher Shortage: How to Attract and Retain Excellent Educators
This report identifies key factors influencing teacher recruitment and retention, including salaries, preparation costs, hiring practices, induction support, and working conditions1. It highlights the impact of low salaries and high turnover rates, especially in low-income schools, on the stability of the teaching workforce. The report offers policy recommendations to improve teacher retention and recruitment, emphasizing the need for competitive salaries, financial incentives, and supportive working environments.

 Report Educator Recruitment and Retention Learning Policy Institute

Taking the Long View: State Efforts to Solve Teacher Shortages by Strengthening the Profession
This report examines six evidence-based policies to address teacher shortages, including service scholarships, high-retention pathways, mentoring, principal development, competitive compensation, and recruitment strategies1. It highlights successful state examples and emphasizes the importance of comprehensive approaches, using Washington state as a detailed case study. The report underscores the need for systemic solutions to create a strong and stable teacher workforce.

 Report Educator Recruitment and Retention Learning Policy Institute

Teacher Exodus Infographic
The infographic discusses the high turnover rate among teachers, highlighting factors such as challenging working conditions, inadequate preparation, lack of support, dissatisfaction with compensation, and better career opportunities. It also suggests policies to improve teacher retention, including better preparation, improved working conditions, and increased compensation.

 Other Educator Recruitment and Retention Learning Policy Institute

Strategies to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Special Education Staff
The report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office examines the challenges in recruiting and retaining special education staff in Washington state. It identifies key factors contributing to these challenges, such as competitive salaries and working conditions, and provides recommendations to improve recruitment and retention efforts. 

 Report Educator Recruitment and Retention Office of the Washington State Auditor

How Preparation Programs Can Incorporate High Leverage Instructional Practices for Moderate to Severe Disabilities
The article discusses how educator preparation programs in Ohio incorporate high-leverage instructional practices (HLPs) to better prepare teachers for working with students with significant cognitive disabilities in inclusive settings. It highlights the importance of these practices for effective inclusion and examines the extent to which preservice and in-service teachers feel prepared to implement them.

 Research Article Inclusion, Technical Assistance TIES Center
Creating Communities of Belonging for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
The article emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of belonging for students with significant cognitive disabilities within inclusive school environments. It outlines ten essential dimensions of belonging and provides practical strategies for educators to foster inclusive and supportive classroom communities.		 Web Article Inclusion, Technical Assistance TIES Center