California’s teacher shortage is getting worse

Seventy-five percent of districts surveyed by the California School Board Association and the Learning Policy Institute said they do not have enough teachers and the problem is getting bigger.

“When we do not have highly qualified candidates inside classrooms, then that’s ultimately going to affect student achievement,” said Martha Martinez, Salinas City Elementary School District Superintendent.

Salinas City Elementary School District said it’s especially challenging to find special education teachers. Reduced class sizes and the high cost of living on the Central Coast presents a unique challenge.

“Sometimes the pay does not always outweigh the benefit to time,” said Academic Coach Sophia Witting.

The study found districts are having a hard time because teachers are retiring, high poverty areas aren’t as appealing and the profession is losing its shine in the face of other opportunities.

“It’s a difficult time in education where our standards are shifting,” said Monterey Park Elementary teacher Tina Ramos. “It’s very hard for us to be able to keep up with all the new things that are being implemented in our classrooms and in our state.”

Districts all over the state are coming up with creative ways to fill the empty positions. The Salinas City Elementary School District is hiring interns in the teaching credential program and giving them special training.

“It’s frightening where this is headed but we always have people in our community who want to help kids,” said Witting. “It’s just a matter of training them to be the best teachers in our classrooms.”

Witting also believes in order to get more teachers through the doors, there needs to be a shift in the way they’re viewed and treated.

“Teachers who are working with our kids need a little bit more love and a little bit more patience from our public, from our city and just in general,” said Witting. “Sometimes it feels as if teachers don’t get that enough and we should appreciate them a little bit more.”

ORIGINAL STORY: California’s teacher shortage is getting worse, according to a survey released Wednesday by the California School Boards Association.

The survey looked at over 200 school districts in the state and found that 75 percent report a shortage of qualified teachers and over 80 percent say the problem has gotten worse since the 2013-2014 school year.

The problem is especially acute in districts with a high concentration of English learners.

Tonight, KION reporter Maya Holmes talks with local school districts about the challenges of attracting and retaining qualified teachers.