NewsVoice of San DiegoAugust 11, 2026San Diego
San Diego Unified reports students with disabilities spent majority of 2025 with substitute teachers
At 21 San Diego Unified schools, students with disabilities were taught by substitute teachers for more than half of the 2025 school year. Many of these substitute teachers lacked full teaching credentials.
Read the full story at Voice of San DiegoWhy It Matters
Students with disabilities at these 21 schools experienced significant instructional time with non-credentialed substitute teachers rather than permanent, credentialed staff throughout the 2025 school year.
Key Facts
- Students with disabilities at 21 San Diego Unified schools spent over 50% of the 2025 school year with substitute teachers.
- A significant portion of the substitute teachers utilized during this period did not possess full teaching credentials.
Who's Mentioned
personTuan Nguyen“Professor at the University of Missouri.”other21“Number of schools affected by the staffing issue.”personNicole DeWitt“Deputy Superintendent of San Diego Unified.”organizationSan Diego Unified School District“The school district managing the special education classrooms.”personCrystal Clayburn“A parent of two autistic students at Oak Park Elementary.”organizationSan Diego Unified“The school district where the staffing issues occurred.”personMonique Barrett“President of the San Diego Unified teachers union.”organizationVoice of San Diego“The news outlet that published the report.”personVirginia Rodriguez“A parent of a student at Porter Elementary.”