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Thursday, June 14, 2007
Where Are All The Math And Science Teachers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While I was covering the monthly State Board of Education meeting yesterday, my colleague Andrea Jones was over at the State Board of Regents where members were getting the latest update about the dearth of math and science teachers for Georgia’s public schools.
The statistic from Andrea’s story that jumped out at me: Last year, only a dozen public college graduates became high school physics or chemistry teachers. Just 12 for the whole state.
According to the article, within three years, officials estimate that they’ll need more than 4,500 math and science teachers for the state’s middle and high school campuses. Last year, Georgia’s public university system produced fewer than 700 in those areas.
This is happening at the same time state officials are rolling out what’s supposed to be a tougher new curriculum that expects students to learn advanced math and science concepts at earlier grades — and while state leaders are planning to beef up high school graduation requirements, which would force many students to take more math and science classes to earn a diploma.
So, tell me: Does anyone see a train wreck coming here or not?
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