LM april 2021 final hi

Start “FutureTeachersof America” clubs in highschools These programs were popular in the 1960’s and worked to raise the interest in education. Consider local and state FTA scholarships. Offer tuitionscholarships to teacher education candidates These state scholarships in the past provided individuals, such as myself, the ability to attend college. Though I had to make a five-year commitment to teach in the state, this scholarship changed my life. I know the Illinois Black Caucus is pushing for minority scholarships. I hope they are successful. Providehiringbonuses tohigh teacher shortagepositions The hiring bonuses could help school districts fill positions, for example, in math, science, early childhood, industrial technology (CTE), special education and English as a second language. Further, rural communities and schools experiencing high poverty should be placed in this consideration. Lessen restrictionsonmiddleschool, industrial technology (CTE), andelementary licensure To be specific, middle school endorsement should return back to the same requirement prior to January 31, 2018, or I feel we will see a shortage in four to five years. Kindergarten should be placed back with the elementary licensure as this non-researched change has caused placement problems in many districts. Alternative certificates should be offered in industrial technology (Career and Technical Education) and other areas where there are great shortages, without taking away the course rigor needed to be a skilled teacher. Exploreprograms toassist in teacher retention We will not be able to tackle the teacher shortage problem without addressing the current turnover trends in teacher career paths.

WAYS TOADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE In my opinion, the teacher shortage crisis is still real and needs to be continually discussed and researched by the State Superintendent, Dr. Carmen Ayala, the board members of ISBE and the Illinois legislature. I was encouraged by the panel discussion lead by Emily Fox of the ISBE staff at the February 18, 2021, ISBE Board Meeting. ISBE has made a great start, but there are other issues that need to be addressed before we see the numbers increase of those individuals wishing to enter the classroom. While I am not so naïve to say all ideas below should be implemented, let’s look at some of the possibilities to explore. Lower the retirement age from67 toat least 62 for Tier 2andTier 3 teachers. Teachers in the field before 2011 can retire at the age of 55 (Tier 1). Teachers entering the field after 2011 (Tier 2) and in the future (Tier 3) must work until they are 67. Sixty-seven is too old, especially since states next to us like Missouri allow full retirement as early as 53 years old. Illinois is second only to New Jersey of high school seniors heading to out- of-state universities. Perceived poor pay, limited retirement incentives, working conditions and teacher blaming continue to be issues. For this researcher, now that the basic skills test has been eliminated, I feel the retirement rule changes is the number one impactor on young people leaving Illinois high schools for out-of-state universities in the field of education. Offer “GrowYourOwn” incentives This program provides opportunities for current high school graduates in the local community to come back and teach in their home district. This “Grow Your Own” plan should also include a pipeline for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers. This is a matter of lessening restrictions that currently force paraprofessionals to quit their jobs to student teach. This program would also help alleviate the serious problem we have filling teacher positions in rural communities and areas of economic distress. This initiative would also make the teaching field more diverse.

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LM April 2021