Dive Brief:

• Across the United States, enrollment in teacher preparation programs has fallen by double digit percentages, leading to further scrutiny of what appears to be a far-reaching teacher shortage.
• Various reports and heightened media attention over the last year have made teacher shortages appear to be a new and pressing problem, District Administration reports, yet some experts believe that it's not, saying that shortages have historically happened over time with no pre-existing data to prove current shortages are as new and serious as they seem.  
• Some districts are now thinking creatively about incentives, offering more perks like new hire bonuses, helping potential candidates earn teaching credentials, and giving teachers planning to retire a bonus to tell administrators about their plans ahead of time so that they can plan better for replacements. 

Dive Insight:

Teacher shortages across the United States are a pressing problem. States like Nevada, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania are among the many struggling with the issue. In Indiana, studies are being done to understand why the number of applicants for teacher licenses fell by 50% between 2009 and 2013, and in Philadelphia, some students don't have teachers for 50% of classes because of teacher and substitute shortages.

Reasons for the shortages vary. Some cite the economy, low wages, and poor working conditions in certain schools. According to the National Education Association, the average salary for a public school teacher fell roughly 4% in the last decade. 

One solution for districts is to focus on "growing" their own teachers by encouraging local paraprofessionals and graduates to consider teaching as a full-time job, supporting them while they undergo certification. The idea is centered around the premise that those who have existing ties to a location will be more likely to remain there.

Recommended Reading

District Administration: Tackling the teacher shortage