The National Teacher Shortage

The nation is currently faced with a situation where the number of students is rising and the number of teachers is declining. LearningWorks recruits a diverse group of high school and college-age students to teach because it recognizes the need to bring a more diverse group of people into the field of teaching. Not only does a diverse group of teachers foster connections with a diverse group of students, but people of color and males are also two of the most underrepresented demographic groups in education throughout the United States. Annually, LearningWorks receives 4 to 5 times as many teacher applications are there are positions available. This indicates that LearningWorks is tapping into and developing a valuable resource for the future of education in the United States. Many former teachers find themselves working in education in some way after leaving LearningWorks, and 99% of teachers say that they are as or more likely to enter education after their experience with LearningWorks. Consider the following:

  • Minneapolis ranks in the top 100 largest urban areas in the United States (Gibson, 1999) and teacher shortages are particularly acute in urban and rural areas (National Teacher Recruiting Clearinghouse, 2005).
  • Teachers of color are in high demand in all subjects, grade levels, and geographic areas (Fideler, Foster, & Schwartz, 2000).
    • In 2000, 73% of responding districts reported an immediate need for teachers of color.
    • Individuals of African American, Hispanic and Latino, Asian, and Native American descent make up 14% of K-12 teachers while 36% of students are from such backgrounds.
      • In urban districts approximately 50% of the students are students of color, and in many the percentage is much higher.
  • Education is also dominated by females, and in 2000, 80% of the largest urban school districts reported an immediate demand for male teachers at the elementary level (Fideler et al., 2000).

A large wave of new teachers is required if school districts want to keep in stride with recent advancements in American education – Minnesota is not immune from this crisis.