In November of this year, a poll conducted by EdSource and the Learning Policy Institute revealed that 64 percent of California voters surveyed regard the shortage of k-12 teachers as a “very serious” problem. A similar proportion feels that more should be done at the state level to encourage young people to pursue a career as educational instructors.
The statewide poll, which surveyed 1,002 voters, showed a high level of concern regarding the limited training available to teachers throughout their careers. 88 percent of voters believe that part of a teacher’s training should include a year of practice teaching under the guidance of an expert. In addition, more than half of those polled opposed polices that would allow schools to hire people who have not completed their training or earned their teaching credentials.
The issue of access to a quality education was also at the forefront of voters mind. Two-in-three voters polled believe the fact that public schools in low-income neighborhoods have fewer qualified teachers than schools in wealthier neighborhoods is a “serious problem.” Currently, the quality of the education students receive is all too often tied into their socio-economic status, with rich students having access to better trained and higher paid teachers than their less privileged counterparts.
According to an analysis done by WalletHub, California has the 9th worst school system in the nation. Maybe it’s time we started investing in our teachers and our students. After all, they are the future of our State and our nation.
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