This document presents the conclusions of a Council for Exceptional Children commission that identified barriers to high-quality special education and proposed an action agenda. The commission identified eight issues underlying high teacher attrition rates: (1) ambiguous and competing responsibilities; (2) overwhelming paperwork; (3) inadequate district and administrative support; (4) significant teacher isolation; (5) insufficient focus on improved student outcomes; (6) increased demand for well-qualified special educators; (7) poorly prepared new general and special educators; and (8) fragmented state and provincial licensing systems. Eight recommendations comprise the action agenda: (1) define the roles of special and general educators relative to students with exceptionalities; (2) create the context for high quality practice; (3) leverage time with technology tools and clerical supports to reduce the paperwork burden; (4) standardize decision-making processes; (5) create a career continuum in special education; (6) recruit and prepare sufficient qualified diverse special educators to fill the demand; (7) develop cohesive professional licensure systems; and (8) provide systems supports. Also included are specific recommendations for the following groups: special education teachers, businesses, federal agencies, parents, professional associations, state and provincial agencies, teacher preparation programs, school administrators, and school districts/boards. (DB)