IDAHO, USA — A new discrepancy between K-12 job openings for teachers in Idaho and applicants earning their teaching certificates is prompting The Idaho State Board of Education to take a new approach.
The board will be launching a new teaching apprenticeship program that will leave out the requirement for a four-year baccalaureate degree.
According to 2021 data, approximately 1,594 teaching applicants earned the degree with a reported 2,231 job openings. More than 600 jobs were left open as a result.
The board said implementation of the program is currently underway.
“The Teacher Apprenticeship program is another tool to help address this problem. Many of our rural schools have paraprofessionals working in them that have established ties to the community,” said Mike Keckler, State Board Chief Communications Officer. “The goal is for the program to create career pathways for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers and work in their local schools without having to uproot, and move, to attend teacher preparation programs located at our higher education institutions.”
“The ability to recruit and retain qualified teachers will be critical to avoid potential future teacher shortages in Idaho due to retirement or general turnover,” Labor Economist Lisa Grigg said.
Idahoans interested in the program can sign up for IdahoWorks and check school websites for job postings.
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