University of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ report details teacher preparation, retention and recruitment challenges

by Michelle Saport  |   

The University of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ recently presented the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Legislature with a report highlighting the university's efforts to help Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's public schools attract, train and retain qualified teachers. The report titled "" is part of the University of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's commitment to engage Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æns in a conversation about the challenges and progress being made in Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's schools.

The report, prepared by the Center for Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Education Policy Research (CAEPR) in conjunction with the University of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Deans of Education, shows:

  • High teacher turnover continues to exist in rural Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æn communities, but there is clear evidence that teacher mentoring reduces turnover. (page 9)
  • New findings revealing why many University of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ teacher education graduates are not teaching immediately after graduation. (page 21)
  • Positive gains in graduating more special education teachers and counselors. (page 18)
  • The university is graduating more teachers today than it has in the last six years. (page 16)

A number of Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ teacher education trends mirror national trends. There are more certified teachers in the nation than there are positions available, but there are still shortages for teachers in certain areas such as high school math, high school physical science and special education, as well as geographic locations. For Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ, there is a lack of comparable wages with other states and more difficult working conditions.

The university is partnering with Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ's schools to meet these challenges, focusing on equalizing conditions across districts and attracting teachers to schools where their skills are most needed.

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