WCRIS Ensuring Inclusion for Private Schools
As the new school year gets underway, many WCRIS schools have been left struggling to fill vacant teaching positions. Public and private schools report a shortage of teachers in specific “high-need” content areas, and a newer overall shortage of teachers in every discipline. Researchers predict the problem will worsen in the coming years.
The looming shortage is so critical that in March, DPI Superintendent Tony Evers called upon the Professional Standards Council to create a work group to address the growing problem. The Professional Standards Council advises the state superintendent and includes a variety of educators, including WCRIS representative, Margaret Doering, from Marquette University High School.
The work group convened over four months to identify areas of staffing concerns, possible causes, barriers to addressing concerns, and remedies for the growing shortage. Several common issues emerged across urban, rural, public and private schools. The group said these issues must be addressed to reverse the problem. They are:
1. A Lack of Students Entering Education
The number of college students entering the education field has dropped seven percent over the last 10 years, according to the US Department of Education. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison alone, the number of students enrolling in the education program has dropped by over 50 percent in the last 20 years, according to Jeff Hamm, the associate dean of academic services for the School of Education.
The Superintendent’s work group sited many factors that may be contributing to the declining enrollment in educator preparation programs, including: student concerns over low-paying salaries; a cultural “disrespect” of the teaching profession; and interest in more lucrative career opportunities. They noted that current teachers are even warning students away from entering the field.
The trend of college-aged students uninterested in teaching is a huge problem for all of Wisconsin’s schools, as it leaves a shrinking, often unqualified pool of applicants to fill positions left by retiring baby-boomers.
WCRIS is working with legislators to ensure inclusion for private schools in any incentive programs and opportunities that may become available to keep teachers in Wisconsin.
2. New Laws Effect Teacher Eligibility
Changes to laws regarding public school teacher pensions and the eligibility of these experienced teachers to teach after retirement are leaving public schools with fewer staffing options.
However, this may be an opportunity for WCRIS schools to recruit retired, experienced public school teachers who wish to rejoin the workforce.
3. The Teacher Licensure Process
The work group cited the teacher licensure process as a barrier to entry. Initial educators, who might have been excited by their budding careers, are now frustrated by a complicated and inflexible process.
Armed with the work groups report, State Superintendent Tony Evers implemented some teacher licensure rule changes recently.
Competition Boosts Teacher Salaries
As a result of the shortage, there is fierce competition for the state’s best, and most qualified teachers.
With the competition boosting salaries and forcing schools to offer signing bonuses and extra benefits, teachers may be reaping the benefits of a shortage in their field. Earlier this summer Governor Walker even compared Wisconsin’s teachers to NFL free-agents, according to a story in the La Crosse tribune.
But, while this may be a win for some teachers, the state’s free-market on education is leaving rural areas and private schools in the dust when their brightest teachers are lured away to larger school districts with bigger budgets who can offer them a higher-paying job with more benefits.
What Can Private Schools Do?
While private school teachers are not required to hold licenses, unless their school is enrolled in a Choice program, many schools maintain licensed staff as a best practice.
Private schools that support teachers with their Professional Development Plans (PDPs) during the licensure process will have an edge when it comes to recruitment and retention. To help our schools achieve this goal, WCRIS has negotiated a discount with QEI, a PDP planning provider.
And, as the legislative session approaches in January, WCRIS is working with legislators and the DPI to find solutions that will help solve the teacher shortage, while including private schools.
WCRIS is working to help our schools attract and retain outstanding teachers, with efforts like providing support during the teacher licensure process and expanding professional development opportunities, to helping schools understand new laws that may draw experienced teachers to WCRIS schools.
With the power of WCRIS’ statewide network of mission-driven educators, we can work together to keep teachers in our private schools.
