North Carolina pays $35 million in teacher bonuses this year based off of how well student scores grew. | Shuttershock
North Carolina pays $35 million in teacher bonuses this year based off of how well student scores grew. | Shuttershock
Illinois school districts continue to suffer teacher shortages and an overwhelming majority of respondents in a new Educator Shortage Survey believe the situation will get worse over the short term.
In a survey conducted by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents, researchers found that 77% of the districts in the state are now short of teachers.
“This year, not surprisingly, the numbers continue to be dramatic if not drastic and we are very, very concerned,” association President Mark Klaisner told The Center Square. “The crisis continues and in fact is worsening.”
Eighty-six percent of respondents believe that the situation will worsen over the next two academic years as districts struggle to fill openings. Researchers found more than 250 classes across the state were canceled in 2020 because of teacher shortages.
Klaisner said a growing number of factors are discouraging potential teachers from entering the profession.
“The work is harder, the years are longer, the days are longer, the compensation’s not keeping up with the economy,” he said.
Some believe the COVID-19 pandemic may only make the situation worse.
"With COVID, we are uncertain what’s going to happen with the teacher profession, and certainly some of the surveys that have been done have shown that the teacher shortage is going to be exacerbated,” Golden Apple Accelerator Program President Alan Mather said.
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