IT’S GETTING DOWN TO THE WIRE FOR ALBUQUERQUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THEY’VE BEEN HIRING TEACHERS AND HAVE 300 TEACHING JOBS STILL VACANT. CLASSES BEGIN IN LESS THAN A WEEK. APS SPOKESPERSON MONICA ARMENTA SAYS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM.
SHE SAYS THE DISTRICT IS NOW LOOKING INTO HELPING POTENTIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS, STARTING WITH HIGH SCHOOL. ONE PROGRAM INTRODUCES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO PUBLIC EDUCATION AND TEACHER. THEY’RE ALSO WORKING WITH UNIVERSITIES TO PROVIDE STIPENDS AND OTHER FORMS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
ARMENTA SAYS RESEARCH FINDS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO COLLEGE FOR A TEACHING DEGREE BECAUSE THEY SAY THE PAY SCALE ISN’T ENOUGH.
