Since teachers are so vitally needed some standards have been lowered to allow easier access to credentials and other certification.
What are some steps that can be taken to help solve the problem of the teacher shortage? Tom Loveless suggest that there should be a break down of structural barriers by allowing for licensing between states. This will make it easy for teachers to use their credentials anywhere. Loveless also suggest that we should continue to expand alternative routes to certification. "The old ways of certifying and training teachers do not solve the shortages."(WWW.BFAT.COM) Offering financial help to urban schools would help them be competitive in paying salaries and also help with much needed supplies. These are just a few of Loveless's suggestions that may aid the problem.
Some think that the problem may be fixed with a pay raise. That would make the job look more appealing to many, but wouldn't solve the problem." Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley suggest a year-round schedule, automatically raising teachers" pay twenty percent for the added work time." (WWW.EDUCATIONWORLD.COM) School districts are getting desperate to fill their empty classrooms. They've taken drastic measures to get teachers to stay in the classroom or to come back. .
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Some districts are paying health insurance, retirement contributions, relocation expenses, or interviewing cost. "The Hartford Connecticut, system pays teachers" health insurance and grants veteran teachers annual bonuses of one hundred dollars for every year served." (WWW.EDUCATIONWORLD.COM) Some districts also entice retirees. "Several states pay retired teachers their pensions plus salaries if they return to the classroom". (EDUCATIONWORLD.COM) A couple of districts have even started offering signing bonuses. The bonus in Massachusetts in twenty thousand dollars, just for signing. That's like NBA or NFL signing bonuses for a teacher.
