(The Center Square) – Wisconsin’s state superintendent of schools is calling the latest look at the state’s teacher shortage a crisis.
The Department of Public Instruction released a report this week that says 40% of new teachers don’t last six years in the classroom, and 30% of wanna-be teachers never even make it into a classroom.
“This report shows what we’ve known for some time now: our education workforce is in crisis,” State Superintendent Jill Underly said. “Wisconsin’s kids are suffering from losing quality teachers. Solving this challenge starts with upholding the state’s responsibility of funding our public schools. We have the resources, and we owe it to our kids to do more.”
Underly said Wisconsin’s teacher shortage is most desperate when it comes to special ed teachers.
She is blaming Act 10, which changed how teachers can negotiate salaries and benefits more than a decade ago. The DPI report says teacher compensation has fallen 19% since 2010.
“It’s shocking we’ve allowed teacher compensation to decline in real terms. Not only do our teachers need to be paid appropriately, but they need to be respected and supported by our communities. Under my leadership, the DPI will continue fighting for our students, our families, our educators, and our public schools,” Underly added.