One District
Addresses The
Teacher Shortage
A collaborative program
with San Diego State
could prove to be a
difference-maker
8
Leadership
Louis Freedberg is quoted in the
February 20, 2018 EdSource article on
this topic, titled “Despite an improving
economy and new efforts to recruit teach-
ers, California’s teacher shortage is show-
ing no signs of easing up.” (01) Districts
up and down the state are competing for a
limited pool of credential graduates. Freed-
berg continues, “Four-fifths of the districts
(From the Learning Policy Institute study)
report that the shortages continue com-
pared to last year.” Eighty percent of the
study’s districts need teachers.
The state has initiated a $70 million effort
to help current classroom aides enter teacher
preparation programs. Blended university
programs, which allow students to build
their credentialing into their undergradu-
ate degree, are beginning in earnest. These
efforts showcase the need to identify new
sources to find future teachers for the next
generation. However, this is not an easy fix.
Linda Darling-Hammond, the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing
chair, notes that, “It will take 3-5 years be-
fore these efforts have a real impact.”
The Sweetwater Union High School Dis-
trict is no exception to the shortage. Like
many other districts, the need for teachers
and educators in the areas of math, science,
and special education is even greater. Lo-
cated where California touches the Pacific
Ocean and Mexico, our district also serves
a diverse student population. This diversity
includes ethnicity and a variety of linguistic
needs, to socio-economic and immigration
status. We serve more than 38,000 7-12
students. While meeting the diverse needs
of this population can be challenging, we
know that providing a quality education
with access to higher education can be the
route to a successful career.
Access to college can be a barrier
for many
Most students must now compete glob-
ally for admissions to our state and national
universities. Up until 18 years ago, Sweet-
water graduates were placed in that com-
petitive arena. Today we are celebrating the
By Dr. Thomas Glover