Persistent and consistent criticism of our nation's educational system has increased pressure on school districts and teacher education programs to improve the quality of teachers in our public schools. While there is research regarding the characteristics of effective teachers, the difficulty is often in identifying and hiring those teacher…

This article examines three interlinked problems facing public schools today: how to recruit, retain, and pay our teachers. The article begins with an overview of the current situation in the United States, paying particular attention to schools in areas where minorities are the majority. It goes on to examine some of the causes of teacher…

POPULATION INCREASES HAVE BEEN PARALLELED BY INCREASED DEMAND FOR HIGHLY TRAINED AND SKILLED PERSONNEL. ALTHOUGH MUCH OF THIS DEMAND MUST BE MET BY THE JUNIOR COLLEGES, FACULTY GROWTH HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH STUDENT ENROLLMENTS, FOR VERY FEW INSTITUTIONS HAVE PROGRAMS TO PREPARE TEACHERS FOR 2-YEAR POST-HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS…