A recruiting initiative launched this week by the Department of Education will focus on bringing new teachers into special education, among a handful of other specialties.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the new recruitment plan during a segment on MSNBC on Monday as part of NBC’s Education Summit. The initiative includes a new website designed to help young people chart their path to the classroom. A planned Facebook application will also help connect current and prospective teachers.

In particular, Duncan said he hopes the campaign will help draw new teachers to in demand areas like special education, science and math. He also wants to attract new educators to urban and rural schools that have traditionally struggled.

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“With more than a million teachers expected to retire in the coming years, we have a historic opportunity to transform public education in America by calling on a new generation to join those already in the classroom,” Duncan said in making the announcement. “We are working with the broader education community to strengthen and elevate the entire teaching profession so that every teacher has the support and training they need to succeed.”

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