San Diego Unified Substitute Teacher Shortage Impacts Disabled Students

San Diego, CA, August 11, 2026 —

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT – Disabled students across the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) have experienced prolonged periods with substitute teachers, many of whom do not possess specialized credentials for special education. This ongoing issue has led to significant disruption in the educational environment for a vulnerable student population.

The trend appears to disproportionately affect schools situated in lower-income communities within the district. Furthermore, classrooms designated for students with extensive support needs seem to be most impacted by the shortage of qualified, permanent staff. This lack of consistent, credentialed instruction raises concerns about the quality of education being provided to these students.

Parents of affected students have voiced their distress, reporting a noticeable lack of academic progress and other detrimental effects on their children’s development due to the frequent changes in teaching staff. The instability associated with having substitute teachers for entire academic years can impede the specialized learning plans and individualized support that students with disabilities often require to thrive.

The specific number of classrooms or students affected across the district was not detailed in the information available. Additionally, the reasons behind the substitute teacher shortage, particularly concerning special education roles, were not specified. The San Diego Unified School District has not yet released a statement detailing its plans to address this ongoing challenge and ensure consistent, qualified instruction for all its students, including those with disabilities.

Story summarized from the original created by Jakob McWhinney on voiceofsandiego.org, see more information here.

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