A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

The number of secondary school teachers is projected to increase at a greater rate than the number of elementary teachers. Between 1997 and 2007, an increase of 5 percent is projected at the elementary level, while an increase of 14 percent is projected at the secondary level, a rise from 1.2 million to 1.4 million teachers.

School enrollment increases have implications for teacher supply and demand over the next ten years. For example, California will need to hire 260,000 to 300,000 teacher in the next decade. (California Commission on Teacher Credentialing).

Filling teacher positions with qualified teachers, particularly in specific subjects, is another issue for many schools. More than 13 percent of all newly hired teachers enter the work force without full certification in their main assignment. In addition, the percentage of public school teachers who neither majored nor minored in their main assignment field include: 59 percent in social studies, 40 percent in science, 34 percent in math, 25 percent in English, and 13 percent in foreign language.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics Digest of Education Statistics, 1996; and Projections of Educational Statistics to 2007; America's Teachers: Profile of a Profession, 1993-94, excepted as noted.

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