'Severe' PA Teacher Shortage Addressed In New Bill

PENNSYLVANIA — New legislation will soon be introduced in Pennsylvania to address the ongoing teacher shortage, an issue that has only been exacerbated since the pandemic began.

The new bill, introduced by State Rep. Mark Rozzi, (D-Berks) would allow teachers to come out of retirement to help fill the gaps.

In a co-sponsorship memorandum issued Monday, Rozzi wrote that the issue was becoming pressing.

"Efforts have been made to address this shortage long-term, however, action needs to be taken right now to address the further damage the pandemic has brought to this issue," Rozzi said. "Unfortunately, without enough teachers to educate students, our children suffer the cost."

Demand for teachers has consistently grown, Rozzi says, and there are not enough new teachers coming through the system to fill the gaps.

Moreover, since the pandemic began, not only have more teachers been resigning and shifting into other careers with lower stress levels, but they've also been retiring at higher rates, according to an Associated Press report. Additional teachers, aides, and tutors have also been needed to staff online classes and special instruction for those unable to return to in-person instruction.

"Returning retired teachers can help fill in the gap during this difficult time, and ensure that our children are provided with a proper education," Rozzi added. "It is vital that we take the education of young minds seriously and provide them with the resources they need to set themselves up for a lifetime of success."

Rozzi has not yet announced specifics on his legislation. Though the memorandum was published this week, the bill has not yet been introduced into the state legislature. And it remains unclear what sort of support it may see.

In some cases, districts are turning to others in the school community. Principals and administrators are filling certain roles, while demand for substitutes have skyrocketed. In Pennsylvania, the Erie School District increased substitute pay by 110 percent to try to fill demand.

Elsewhere, universities are trying to help by offering new programs and certifications. Penn State Harrisburg announced a new post-baccalaureate certification program as a direct response to the shortage in the spring.

"It saddens me that 1 in 4 educators are considering leaving the profession," Pennsylvania State Education Association Vice President Aaron Chapin said over the summer, referencing a Rand Corporation study. " I know the passion my colleagues feel for educating. But the stresses have been that severe over the past 16 months on top of all the other stresses that existed for a while."

The National Education Association (NEA) also called the situation "severe" when warning of it in June.

"We face a looming crisis in losing educators at a time when our students need them most," NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement. "This is a serious problem with potential effects for generations."

In an NEA survey of 2,690 members, 32 percent said the pandemic caused them to leave the profession earlier than they'd anticipated.

Aside from putting pressure on already-overloaded school resources, the shortage has led some districts in the state to require teachers who want to retire or resign to give two months notice.