Clinton Addresses U.S. Teacher Shortage
Dateline: 08/29/00
As an all-time record 53 million students streamed back into America's schools this week, thousands of school districts also face their worst-ever teacher shortages. Last Saturday, in his Radio Address to the Nation, President Clinton outlined his Administration's efforts to address the teacher shortage.
"For nearly eight years now, Vice President Gore and I have pushed to invest more in our schools and demand more from them," stated the President.
Noting raised educational performance and accountability standards, coupled with federally-backed after school and summer learning programs, the President announced that national SAT grades in math and reading had increased, as well as the number of students going on to college.
In 1998, the Clinton Administration launched federal efforts designed to hire 100,000 highly qualified teachers, of which, about one-third have been hired so far. In addition, Clinton's proposed FY 2001 federal budget, now before Congress, calls for funding to attract and hire another 50,000 teachers.
While federally-funded programs like housing discounts for teachers moving to distressed communities and forgiving student loans for college graduates who become teachers have helped hire many new teachers, the shortage remains critical, according to the President.
| Online Discussion: Should federal funds be used to back incentives to hire teachers? |
Noting that a strong economy and tight labor market make it difficult to attract qualified professionals into teaching, the President warned that the challenge will only increase. "Over the next decade America will need to hire 2.2 million new teachers both to handle rising enrollment and to replace those teachers set to retire," he stated.
Help from the Internet?
The President announced on Saturday, the first-ever online teacher
recruitment clearing house -- www.recruitingteachers.org
-- a Web site where school districts who need teachers and teachers who need
jobs can find each other. The President stated that he had directed Department
of Education
Secretary Robert Riley to notify school districts and educate them on how to
best utilize this new online service.
Smaller Classes - Modern Schools
The President also called on Congress to pass his proposed $2.75 billion
education budget initiative to help hire new teachers, thus reducing class sizes.
"Studies show what parents already know; students perform better in smaller classes with more individual attention and greater discipline," said the President as he urged Congress not to let election-year politics get in the way of education. "... this isn't just an election year, it's also a school year," the President noted.
Finally, the President urged Congress to act on education budget initiatives to aid school districts in building new schools and modernize existing facilities. "The average American public school was built 42 years ago and decades of use have taken their toll," Clinton stated, adding, "It is high time we get our children out of trailers and into twenty-first century classrooms."
In conclusion, the President stated, "With more teachers, smaller classes, modern schools and faith in their future, our children will do more than reach for their dreams, they'll achieve them."
Reference Links
National Teacher Recruitment Clearinghouse
A new online resource for prospective teachers seeking jobs -- and for school districts and states seeking qualified teachers. Features access to nationwide job banks and information on becoming a teacher and finding teaching jobs.Recruiting Quality Teachers - US Department of Education
Read what the government is doing to attract qualified teachers, including grants and student loan forgiveness programs.Federal Funding of K-12 Education - US Department of Education
A new study released by the U.S. Department of Education shows that federal funding is significantly helping level the playing field between high- and low-poverty schools, but per pupil spending in high-poverty districts still lags behind more affluent districts by more than 10 percent.
Listen to the President's address. (RealPlayer Audio)
The President's address of 8/26/00 on steps to address the teacher shortage. (Links to the President's latest Radio Address to the Nation can always be found on the Latest News and Features page.)
Senate Debates Public School Funding
The time has come for Congress to update and renew the law setting federal spending for public education, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) last updated in 1965.
When Congress returns on Sept 5, the President wants them to take care of -- The 2001 Budget, Gun Control, China Free Trade, Minimum Wage, Prescription Drug Benefits, HMO Patient’s Rights, and more -- all in about 20 days -- in an election year. From your About Guide.
Yes, school is back in session, and if there is a government or civics homework question that is bugging your or a student you know. the answer may be here. From your About Guide.
A huge city-by-city listing of teaching jobs in private schools from Private Schools Guide Robert Kennedy.
Teaching jobs databases, jobs at colleges, universities and public, private and independent schools from Job Searching Guide Alison Doyle.
Teaching Opportunities in Politics and Political Science, from your About Guide to Political Science Chip Hauss
Employment for Adult Educators - types of jobs, working conditions, qualifications, salaries and more. From About Guide Kimeiko Hotta.
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