VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 1
to experience work-related stress. In a field like visual impairment, where a
shortage already exists, making sure these professionals do not leave the field due
to burnout is crucial. Researchers have noted a significant negative relationship
between special educator burnout and student individualized education program
(IEP) quality, teacher adherence to interventions and accommodations, and student
achievement of IEP goals (Bettini et al., 2017; Hogue & Taylor, 2020). As teachers
experience greater levels of stress, they are less able to meet their students' needs;
their students are then less likely to meet and/or exceed their annual IEP goals.
Other researchers have noted a link between teacher burnout and poor student
behavior and engagement (Hogue & Taylor, 2020).
TSVIs, O&M specialists, and the students they serve also experience the
effects of unmanageable caseloads. As TSVIs and O&M specialists serve larger
numbers of students, they shift from direct instruction to consultation (Wilton,
2017). Thus, students may receive less direct instruction in the Expanded Core
Curriculum and/or their instruction may be less effective (Wilton, 2017; Zebehazy
et al., 2023). Similarly, TSVIs and O&M specialists with large caseloads have
reported adverse effects on students' curriculum access and achievement, as they
have less time to individualize students' education and provide appropriate
accommodations (Wilton, 2017).
Benefits of Considering Workload
