Teacher shortages have been a concern for 20 years or more. But, just like most concerns, until it hits us in the face, we don't think it will happen.
When nurses were plentiful, the wages stayed low. Now, we have a nursing shortage and the wages have jumped significantly. Somehow, hospitals who claimed they didn't have the money to pay nurses more in the past found the money.
What are the reasons for this teacher shortage? There are many as one would suspect.
- High cost of a college education. Students are paying more and more for a college education and graduating deeper in debt. Because they need to pay off their guaranteed student loans, they are concerned about making a livable wage. When teaching salaries are compared to other professional careers, the choice is rather easy. Unless you have a true passion for teaching and are willing to live below other professionals economically, you choose another profession.
- Licensure Requirements. According to Kavan Peterson, staff writer for Stateline.org, Iowa has one of the toughest licensure requirements in the United States. Teachers are required to develop a massive portfolio, pass a Praxis exam, be on probation for three years with a mentor and be paid at one of the lowest levels in the U.S. Iowa falls 41st out of 50 states. Many potential teachers look at this scenario and think, "Too little compensation for the work required."
- Math and Science Minds Saying "No Thanks." An area that is already showing a shortage is math and science teachers. Smaller Iowa schools are receiving 3-4 applications when seeking math or science teachers. Students with a talent in math and science are looking into the business world for opportunities instead of teaching. They compare starting salaries in teaching at $22,000 with business at $35,000 and higher. It could possibly take them 10-15 years of teaching to get to the beginning salary level they could receive in another profession.
- Classroom Management Managing a large classroom of students is not for the weak. Many students are now in the classrooms because of the "least restrictive environment" directive. A generation ago, some students would have been in a different room and secluded from the general classroom. Today, a typical classroom of 25-30 students can easily have all the following:
- Aspergers
- Autism
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Truancy
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Talented and Gifted
- Dyslexia
- Mentally Disabled
- Explosive Child
- Depression
- Social Phobia/Anxieties
- English as a Second Language
- Non-Verbal Disorder
- Sexually abused
- Physically abused
- Drugs/alcohol
Teachers are expected to manage the classroom, be experts on the list above, maintain control, teach lessons so that all can understand, build the students' self-esteem, remember who is on what program, make testing and curriculum modifications, keep students safe, monitor for harassment, communicate with parents, fulfill local standards and benchmarks, keep students focused, keep track of who did not do homework, listen to parents blame them for all of their child's failures, document behaviors, attend meetings before and after school, stay positive, and attend in-services announcing more to do. It is a wonder so many continue teaching long enough to qualify for retirement.
The shortage will continue to get worse unless the legislatures act and compensate the teaching profession like other careers requiring a college degree.
Related article: Housing Perk for Teachers
Read previous articles on Educational Issues.
Copyright article 2006 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.
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