The Detroit (MI, USA) public schools system is offering $15,000 bonuses to special education teachers. To be eligible, teachers must hold a valid endorsement in one of four areas of special education: (a) autism spectrum disorder, (b) cognitive impairment, (c) deaf and hard of hearing, or (d) emotional impairment. Both new teachers and currently employed teachers (whether from Detroit or elsewhere) will be eligible for the bonus from the local education agency (LEA).

The story has been carried by multiple sources, including WXYZ, WDIV (“Click on Detroit”), and WWJ radio.

The Detroit LEA previoiusly used bonuses to reward recruits in other areas of teaching and current teachers. For example The LEA used bonuses to fill other hard-to-staff positions, but the special education faculty has been greatly diminished in the last few years. The LEA has also offered bonuses for teachers who have completed vaccinations against SARS-Cov-19.

The Detroit LEA is known as “Detroit Public Schools Community District” or DPSCD. It is Michigan’s largest public education system. Its teachers are represented by the Detroit Federation of Teachers.