All articles tagged with #teacher shortage
Originally Published 2 months ago — by NPR
Many rural schools in the U.S. rely heavily on international teachers on H-1B visas, but recent changes in visa policies, including a $100,000 fee and potential exemptions, threaten to exacerbate teacher shortages, especially in districts like Hardin, Montana, which depend on foreign educators to fill staffing gaps.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Fortune
A rural school district in South Dakota has relied on Filipino teachers on H-1B visas to fill unfilled teaching positions, highlighting the importance of immigrant workers in addressing shortages in education and healthcare. The recent $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications threatens to impact such communities, especially in rural areas where hiring foreign professionals is often the only option to fill critical roles. This policy change raises concerns about the future of staffing in rural schools and hospitals, with advocates calling for exemptions to prevent harm to essential services.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
Megan Hall, a 38-year-old with a background in biology and various jobs, found her calling in teaching after experiencing burnout from pandemic-era home repairs. Despite initial hesitations, she pursued an online certification program and landed a high school science position, ultimately winning the District Teacher of the Year award. Her pivot into education provided financial security and a sense of purpose, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the teaching profession amidst ongoing shortages and alternative certification programs.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
Schools across the United States are facing a severe shortage of substitute teachers, which is directly connected to the broader teacher shortage. Budget constraints and reluctance to pay subs a living wage contribute to the problem. Many substitute teachers are paid a fraction of what full-time teachers make, leading some to reconsider their careers. Lack of support and access to basic resources, such as keys to classrooms and parking spots, further exacerbate the issue. Substitutes often lack health benefits and sick days, and they are not always informed if they are filling in for a teacher who is out with COVID-19. Professionalizing substitute teaching and offering better compensation and benefits could help alleviate the shortage.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox 5 Las Vegas
Two elementary schools in the Las Vegas Valley, Linda Rankin Givens Elementary and C.T. Sewell Elementary, have canceled classes due to a shortage of teachers. The schools cited an unexpected number of licensed staff/teachers absent as the reason for the closures. This follows similar closures earlier in the week at other schools in the Clark County School District.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Lewiston Sun Journal
Lewiston schools in Maine have seen an increase in enrollment this year, with several hundred more students compared to the previous year. The rise in student numbers includes former home-schooled students returning to public schools and asylum-seeker families enrolling their children. The administration is working to ensure there are enough teachers to accommodate the growing student population, and if necessary, some students may be sent to schools outside their neighborhoods. Lewiston Adult Education also has a waiting list and is looking to hire more staff.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Tulsa World
Tulsa Public Schools Superintendent Deborah Gist believes that the timing of the state's effort to question the renewal of the district's state accreditation is intentionally disruptive, leading to the loss of teachers ahead of the new academic year. State Superintendent Ryan Walters has called for Gist's replacement and a possible state takeover of the district, citing concerns about administrative costs and failing grades. Gist disputes these claims, stating that administrative costs are within the legal limit and only 4.03% of funding, while failing grades are at 37% rather than the claimed 65%. Gist also denies allegations of embezzlement and lack of internal controls, emphasizing the importance of stability in leadership for student outcomes.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
A growing number of school districts in the United States are adopting a four-day school week, with hundreds of districts across the country making the switch in recent years. While smaller, rural districts have been more likely to favor this schedule, larger districts are now shortening their school weeks in an effort to recruit and retain teachers amidst a national teacher shortage. However, there is currently limited evidence on the academic impact of the four-day school week. Some parents have expressed concerns about the impact of a shorter week, but proponents hope that this shift will lead to a broader conversation about supporting the teaching profession.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Fox News
Teachers across the US are leaving the profession in droves due to a national teacher shortage, behavioral issues by students, and moral dilemmas about politics in the classroom. The trend away from discipline in the classroom is the number one reason teachers are quitting. School board meetings have become battlegrounds between parents and school board officials, reigniting the debate over how much control parents should have over their children's education. School districts across the country have been struggling with an exodus of teachers since the pandemic, as teachers reported burnout stemming from the uncertainty during lockdowns. Teachers are being forced to adhere to political ideologies in the classroom, and many are opting out due to harassment and bullying.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Colorado Public Radio
Two educators from Cherry Creek School District died over the weekend, one with a confirmed case of bacterial meningitis. The school has canceled all after-school activities and classes to allow the health department to finish contact tracing any students or staff who may have been in close contact with the infected teacher. The district is currently working to identify students or staff who may have come in contact with the infected teacher. Bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that can be deadly but can be treated with antibiotics.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CNBC
Two bills have been introduced in Congress to address the issue of low teacher pay in the U.S. The Pay Teachers Act and the American Teacher Act both aim to set a national minimum salary of $60,000 for public school teachers. Currently, the median annual salary for teachers in the U.S. is just over $61,000. Teacher salaries vary widely by state, with New York offering the highest average salary of $80,286 and Hawaii offering the lowest at $47,156. Low salaries and high stress have contributed to a nationwide teacher shortage.