The State Department of Education has listed 10 teacher shortage areas for the upcoming school year, based on fall hiring data for 2011 (see below). Since most are repeats from prior years, it is clear that many of the shortages are chronic.
Endorsement Area/Grades
|
Total Available
Positions
|
% of Available
Positions Filled
by 10/1
|
Median Number
of Applications
Per Position
|
Speech and Language Pathologist
|
1,156
|
85.5%
|
6
|
World Languages, 7-12
|
1,933
|
91.5%
|
8
|
Bilingual Education, PK-12
|
321
|
55.6%
|
8
|
School Library Media Specialist
|
772
|
82.7%
|
11.5
|
Science, 7-12
|
3,075
|
93.3%
|
19
|
Intermediate Administrator
|
2,771
|
87.9%
|
24
|
Comprehensive Special Education, K-12
|
6,239
|
92.6%
|
31
|
Remedial
|
652
|
87.7%
|
12
|
Hearing Impaired, PK-12
|
126
|
64.3%
|
4.5
|
Mathematics, 7-12
|
3,238
|
93.1%
|
36
|
Districts often fill shortage area positions with minimally qualified hires (those hired from applicant pools of fewer than 20); long-term substitutes; or durational shortage area permit holders, who are typically certified teachers working outside their endorsement areas.
Shortage area teachers are eligible for federal student loan repayment deferral and forgiveness programs as well as state mortgage assistance for buying a home. Retired teachers who are reemployed in shortage areas can be paid more than the statutory earnings limit while continuing to receive their Teacher’s Retirement System pensions.
