This research brief from EdResearch for Action addresses the ongoing national shortage of special education teachers, which is driven by a decline in professionals entering the field despite rising demand. It outlines key challenges contributing to this trend, including overwhelming workloads, limited support, and lack of access to high-quality instructional resources. To help address the shortage, the brief presents both short-term and long-term evidence-based strategies to improve recruitment, preparation, and ongoing support. Short-term approaches include engaging existing staff, such as reading specialists and early elementary teachers, to assist with academic interventions. Long-term strategies focus on strengthening teacher preparation programs, offering financial incentives, and ensuring manageable workloads and adequate planning time. The brief also identifies practices that may negatively affect student outcomes if used inappropriately.