Demand for teachers highest in 15 years

After leveling off in 1997-98, the demand for teachers in Missouri is at its highest in I 5 years, according to a Southwest Missouri State University study.

If the trend continues the state will need more than 10,000 teachers by fall 2003, almost three times the number needed 10 years ago.

The findings are contained in "Teacher and Administrator Supply and Demand in Missouri 2000-2001," an SMSU survey study conducted annually since 1970-1971.

Although demand is at an all-time high, the report said, the number of teaching certifications issued has declined 34 percent since 1996-97.

Severe shortages

Severe teacher shortages exist in special education. pupil services, physics, chemistry, foreign languages, industrial technology, mathematics, English as a second language, biology and gifted education.

Rural school districts, which receive fewer job applications than urban districts, may face closing classes in these disciplines or may have to staff classrooms with substitutes or less than fully certified personnel.

According to an SMSU news release, administrators who responded to the survey named as the leading causes of current teacher-administrator shortages low salaries and overly strict certification requirements.

Other factors

They also cited as an additional key factor a shortage of educators being certified by colleges and universities. Other factors responsible for the shortage include retirements, educators leaving the occupation within their first few years, educators transferring to other districts and various school and community factors.

The project investigator on the study was David Hough, PhD and acting dean of the College of Education.

Rhonda Haynes, Institute for School Improvement research consultant analyzed the data and prepared the report.