Wisconsin educators look to retain teachers amid shortage

[TexasTowelie]

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Education leaders in Wisconsin are studying how to retain teachers and attract new ones as unfilled vacancies for teaching jobs stack up in the state.

The University of Wisconsin System recently announced a task force to study teacher education enrollments and incentives, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. The task force hopes to produce recommendations by May 1.

"We know that nationally, enrollment in teacher education programs is down about 35 percent and in Wisconsin it is down more dramatically in some places," said Diana Hess, dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Education. She's also a leader in the newly formed UW System Task Force for Advancing Teachers and School Leaders.

Students face challenges such as debt and poverty that prevent some from pursuing and entering a teaching career. Meanwhile, others may turn to another career path because of the focus on classroom testing or perceptions that they're not as valued as other professions.

Read more: https://madison.com/news/state-regional/wisconsin-educators-look-to-retain-teachers-amid-shortage/article_9371e7c0-9f75-5132-a08e-630d73e0ff5d.html