TEACHER SHORTAGE WILL LEAD TO GREATER INEQUITIES

The California Department of Education estimates the need for new teachers is approximately twice the current graduation rate in teacher preparation programs.

Enrollment in California teacher preparation programs fell from 719,000 in 2008-09 to 499,800 in 2012-13. The number of teaching credentials issued in special education dropped by 21 percent between 2011-12 and 2013-14. Over the past four years, the number of credentials issued to new math teachers dropped by 32 percent. As a result, districts have resorted to hiring teachers with less than full credentials. 

According to a new report by the nonprofit Learning Policy Institute, California school districts are grappling with teacher shortages. Credentials issued to new teachers are at an historic low at the very time districts have increased their hiring to expand programs and restore teaching positions eliminated during the Recession.

“When California last experienced severe teacher shortages in the late 1990s, it took a wide array of programs to begin to stabilize the teaching force,” wrote the authors of the report. “Most of these have, unfortunately, been discontinued or sharply reduced since then, leaving the state with few existing tools to use to address the current situation.”

Suggestions to assuage the shortage include recruiting new teachers from colleges, other states, and other careers. It also recommends offering teachers in high-shortage subject areas incentives, such as funds to cover tuition and living expenses or loan forgiveness.

Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the Learning Policy Institute, said in a statement that if California does not address its teacher shortage, it will only get worse and lead to “greater inequities among students in different communities.” This can clearly be predicted in the Bay Area where teacher salaries are much higher in affluent areas. Living in one of the most expensive places in the United States does not bode well for those considering a career in education, especially those passionate about educating children in low-income areas where teacher salaries are less and the work much more demanding.

As important as recruiting new teachers, is retaining the ones we have. Teaching may be one of the most fulfilling professions, but it is also one of the most undervalued. American teachers have been historically paid far less than other professions with comparable education requirements. Couple that with constant criticism. Politicians, parents, and pundits have been demonizing teachers for decades, blaming them for any number of societal struggles.

We need to start offering teachers and those passionate about becoming teachers both internal and external incentives. We need to show them financial and professional respect. We must stop scapegoating them for unsatisfactory test scores, unruly children, or any other blot on society. If we don’t, we won’t attract or retain worthy candidates. If you’re not convinced this is true, ask yourself this. Would you encourage your child to become a teacher?

For more information on The Leaning Policy Institute, visit, http://www.learningpolicyinstitute.org.

Contact Margaret Lavin at elementarydays@gmail.com.