SMHC

A new report by Richard M. Ingersoll and David Perda of the Consortium for Policy Research in Education belies conventional wisdom regarding the math and science teacher shortage. Popular thought purports that this shortage is caused by the insufficient production of new math and science teachers. But according to Ingersoll and Perda, the problem is not so simple.

The real root of the shortage lies in preretirement losses of teachers. Math and science teachers have approximately the same annual rates of turnover as other teachers. Unlike other subject areas, however, which have an overwhelming surplus of new teachers relative to total turnover, the supply of new math and science teachers from the pipelines and reserve pool is barely sufficient to replace all losses, due to retirement or other reasons.

Perhaps the most troubling problem identified by Ingersoll and Perda is the lack of willing math and science teachers. How do we increase math and science teacher retention and reduce attrition? According to President Barack Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, we should take cues from the marketplace and pay math and science teachers differently.

Comment below to let us know what you think we should do.

For more reports by Richard M. Ingersoll, check out our resources section.

Filed under: Education Community News