Dueling studies probe cause of teacher shortage
Investigations into challenges recruiting and retaining teachers are headed by two groups that are often at odds on education policy in Indiana.
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz (Photo: Charlie Nye / The Star file photo)
Reports that some Indiana school districts have struggled to recruit and retain teachers are prompting two investigations into what’s behind those challenges.
Although the studies explore similar issues, their conclusions could be widely different. That’s because they’re headed by two groups that are often at odds on education policy in the state.
On one side: Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, launched a 49-member commission to identify strategies to attract more educators into Hoosier classrooms and keep them there. She’ll likely use the work product of the commission to form a series of proposed solutions to take to lawmakers next year.
On the other side: Two powerful GOP lawmakers on education matters, state Rep. Robert Behning and state Sen. Dennis Kruse, have pledged to explore why fewer teachers are being licensed at an October meeting.
Views on the forces at work in driving down the number of licenses vary between the two political parties — and sometimes within them, depending on the level of support for traditional public schools and reforms that allow for charter schools and private-school vouchers.
The Department of Education noted the state has seen an 18 percent drop in the number of initial teaching licenses being issued over the past five years, according to data it released when Ritz’s commission was launched. Retention data in the state varies, with recent figures provided by state education officials showing a statewide retention rate of about 81 percent. But data suggest a much lower rate, 61 percent, for Indianapolis Public Schools.
Advocates for public school educators point to a host of new Republican-backed requirements and accountability measures as to what’s driving teachers away from the profession. They argue that any legislative solution must begin with certain lawmakers regaining a respect for educators.
Yet supporters of the education reform movement have long argued that students benefit from accountability requirements because they’re aimed at boosting the achievement of schools. Behning said that although some people allege the reforms Dueling studies probe cause of teacher shortage:
