The number of states with registered teacher apprenticeships has increased exponentially—from two to 21—over the last year, and the Department of Education is offering more support.
From student mental health to academics, the issue took a toll far greater than administrators could have anticipated. But one thing remains certain: filling staff vacancies is more difficult than ever.
A "crisis in the quality of classroom teaching" is the biggest barrier to providing students with the support they need to overcome unfinished learning, according to a poll of district leaders that was conducted by the Center on Reinventing Public Education.
There are more than 260,000 students in Broward County, Florida, and about 1,300 jobs available as the new school year approaches. The School District of Philadelphia, with less than half that number of students, has almost as many vacancies.
The small district’s apprenticeship program lets aspiring teachers earn a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification at no cost. In return, participants must work at the district for at least three years.
Five decades ago, the U.S. was training an army of college students to become teachers, with 1 in every 5 bachelor's degrees earned in the field of education. Today, college students are more likely to study business, engineering, and even the visual and performing arts.
Staff shortages, rising costs and family meal debt are the biggest challenges that school food service face, according to a survey that also finds the staff have confidence that healthy ingredients are being served.
