Recruiting & Retaining STEM Teachers
Recruiting and retaining high-quality STEM teachers is a challenge for teacher education programs nationwide. This video provides an overview of the issues and offers suggestions for meeting the challenge.
Key points discussed in this video:
- The demand for STEM jobs is increasing.
- U.S. has one of the lowest ratios of STEM to non-STEM bachelor’s degrees in the world.
- Of 1.3 million ACT-tested high school graduates in 2012, less than 1% (731) wanted to be science teachers.
- More than 40% of STEM teachers leave within the first five years.
Possible Solutions for Recruiting & Retaining STEM Teachers
- Make it a priority university-wide
- Organize institutional data systems that promote teacher quality
- Set goals and manage results
- Train teachers as intellectual thought leaders
- Engage and reward faculty
- Nurture school partners
- Nurture community college partners
- Expand research on teacher effectiveness
Resources for STEM educators:
By John Beck, Ph.D
Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Texas State University