Where Have all the Teachers Gone?

The recent recession has wreaked havoc with the teaching profession. According to figure provide by the US Depart of Labor, there are 250,000 fewer teachers than there were prior the recession. During that same time enrollment in America’s public schools has increased by more than 800,000 students. To deal with pupil increased of that size, there should have been an INCREASE in the number of teachers.  These cuts occurred in both urban as well as rural schools and impacted many stares. Those states impacted the most have been, California, Maryland, Michigan( not surprising with Detroit declaring bankruptcy), North Carolina, and Texas.

The fallout from these cutbacks has severely impacted class size, even in states where class size limits have been mandated by law. Classes of more than 30 pupils are not unusual. Since many school districts depend on local property taxes to fund schools, it is not surprising that the more affluent districts have fared better during the recession.  Within many of the schools, many of the “specialists”  in reading and special education have been hit hard.

The overriding question is what do we do now? Keep in mind that in states like Wisconsin, reduction in teaching staffs has been tied to politics and union busting. As we emerge from the recession it is critical that teachers, parents and community leaders focus on restoring positions and re- generate enthusiasm for the profession. The implications of inaction will be far reaching and the generation of students that we are counting on to lead us through the century and provide for the future of the United States will be in great jeopardy.

c.2013 J. Margolis