The author's statement to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions on the challenges faced by America's classroom teachers focuses on a few of the factors that lead to teacher frustration and burnout that higher pay, however well-intended, does not change. They include, but are not limited to, poor teacher preparation,…

The under-representation of Black male teachers in special education has significant consequences. Historically, Black males account for the disproportionately high number of children served in K-12 special education programs (Talbert-Johnson, 2001). Often, the children are evaluated using racially-biased assessments (Cartledge & Duke, 2008).…

Back in 1982, as New Jersey's commissioner of education, the author of this paper made several recommendations to then-Governor Thomas H. Kean concerning teachers. These ideas, all of which the governor embraced, stirred controversy but also put the state on cutting edge of school reform. The ideas were important because they recognized, in a…

School salary policy, with its reliance on the single salary schedule, has not provided competitive salaries for mathematics and science specialists in the past. It continues to create a shortfall in the number of qualified mathematics and science personnel taking teacher training and offering their services to schools. (Author/LMO)

The importance of teacher quality for determining student outcomes is now well established. At the same time, the translation of what is known about teacher quality into effective policy is far from being institutionalized. The simplest summary of research into teacher quality is that some teachers are dramatically more effective than others but…

The economic theory of comparable worth is discussed as it is applied to the issue of teacher salaries and instructional quality. It is argued that application of the theory may be a cause of rather than a solution to some current problems of teacher shortages, teacher education, and productivity. (MSE)

The National Commission on Excellence in Education found mathematics and science programs to be deteriorating and saw an existing shortage of qualified teachers of these subjects. Many of the Commission's solutions are expected to meet with resistance from the Reagan administration and from teachers' unions. (MLF)

The U.S. is facing a serious shortage of math and science teachers. Worse news is that we are not now training enough new teachers to remedy the problem. Solutions may include differential pay, inservice staff development, school-industry cooperation, improved work environments, and computer-assisted instruction. (Author/JM)

Examines the reasons for the shortage of teachers for preschool and elementary school age children, discussing possible future trends and suggesting ways to improve the situation through changes in training requirements and advocacy efforts to improve teachers' salaries. (KS)

Discusses the shortage of qualified mathematics teachers and the decline of student achievement. Includes recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (JOW)

Describes various solutions to the problem of a shortage of secondary mathematics and science teachers. Focuses on the popular solution of higher salaries and notes the advantages and disadvantages of the solution. Considers the concept of comparable worth of teachers. (SB)

Argues that if one considers fringe and retirement benefits and the number of hours worked during the year, teachers are not underpaid relative to other professions. Teachers are well paid because of union influence and to compensate them for working in unpleasant environments. Calls for more use of vouchers and more charter schools to reduce…

There have been continuing shortages of teachers in certain geographical areas and subject fields. While the shortage of mathematics and physical science teachers has been widely publicized, recent projections indicate an imminent shortage of elementary school teachers to be followed by a shortage of secondary school teachers in the next decade.…

This report summarizes and highlights what transpired during the four-part conference entitled "Improving Teaching." The purpose of the series was to bring together educational leaders to discuss questions relating to training, attracting, and retention of good teachers in Connecticut. The material is organized according to the…

This paper examines what strategies are employed by the higher education institutions in the face of shortages of faculty members in business schools and engineering and considers whether these strategies can provide some options for elementary-secondary schools facing shortages in mathematics and science teachers. (Author/LMO)