If you have been part of an interview panel over the last two years, you have seen the effects of the Great Recession, and it’s lasting impact on staffing in our school district.
Recently, Dr. James Brescia, my former Education professor at Cal Poly and Superintendent of Schools for San Luis Obispo County, partnered with California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) to shed some light on the impacts of the Great Recession. Dr. Brescia’s group worked to produce an in depth research brief titled, Teacher Recruitment in California. I wanted to take a moment to share highlights from the research document as it relates to our school district here in Mariposa County.
We now have data that showcases how the recession has directly impacted school districts for the foreseeable future. With the combination of skyrocketing college tuition rates (+63% over the last 10 years) and substantial teacher layoffs during the Great Recession, college age students are avoiding teaching as a career option. Enrollment in teacher credential programs decreased significantly, ultimately leading to a limited number of new credentials being issued across California.
To compound the problem, retirements in our district and across California continue to increase. According to the data, if this trend continues, the state’s K-12 teacher workforce will lose approximately one-third of it’s most experienced teachers by 2020.
Over the last two years, I continue to be asked the same two questions: “If I have B.A degree, can I apply for a teaching position?” and adversely, “Why are you hiring so many teachers who don't have a credential?” Both important questions! My hope is that this information will help address both questions.
Being a rural and remote school district, recruiting in Mariposa historically has been a struggle, as housing and social opportunities continue to be barriers to attracting first year teachers. To compensate for this scarcity, Mariposa has been fortunate to fill teaching positions with individuals who hold Provisional Internship Permits (PIPs) and Short-Term Staff Permits (STSP’s). These staff members have showcased a passion for serving students while also living here in our community.
Hiring teachers who hold PIPs and STSPs was originally designed in California as a short-term solution address teacher shortages. Districts across the state now hire candidates with emergency credentials routinely, and the trend continues here in Mariposa. This practice has provided opportunities for many of local residents, and has become vital to ensuring our students have teachers in their classrooms.
In conclusion, while Generation X (Birth Years: 1965-1981) constitutes the bulk of today’s workforce, it's estimated that Millennials (Birth Years: 1982-2000) will comprise of 50 percent of the nation’s workforce by 2020 and 75 percent by 2025. This evidence shows both a great opportunity to bring energetic and dedicated candidates to our team, as well as insecurity as it relates to our future for recruiting adequate personnel.
By working together, we continue to overcome the challenges that lie before us. The future continues to hold great promise here in Mariposa. I look forward to seeing and hearing from all of you during future site visits!
Warm regards,
Jeff Aranguena
Mariposa County Unified School District
