|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are
solely
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
Permission granted by Ashley Jenkins
Education Dive
Poll: 20% of teachers unlikely to return in fall
Shawna De La Rosa
May 28, 2020
Dive Brief:
One in five teachers surveyed in an USA Today/Ipsos poll said they will
likely not return to the classroom in the fall, USA Today reports.
A majority of the teachers surveyed (83%) said they are struggling to
do their job while schools are closed, 76% said remote learning is
causing students to fall behind, and half were “very” worried about
their students.
In addition, six out of 10 parents polled in the same survey said they
are hesitant about sending their children back to school, with 30%
saying they are “very likely” to keep their children home in the fall.
Four in 10 parents and teachers opposed returning to the classroom
before a coronavirus vaccine is available.
Dive Insight:
There is growing concern many older, vulnerable teachers and staff will
opt to retire rather than return to classrooms this fall. This may
prove problematic for districts that try to retain teachers during
recessions as hiring freezes are often implemented.
The American Federation of Teachers and the National Education
Association have suggested teacher strikes if schools reopen despite
advice from medical experts. More than 18% of teachers and 27% of
principals in the U.S. were over the age of 65 in 2017-18, according to
an American Enterprise Institute report.
If older, veteran teachers opt to stay out of the school building until
a reliable vaccine is available, the nation could face a massive
teacher shortage. About 56% of the teaching workforce is 40 years old
or older, with 31% at age 50 or older, according to the National Center
for Education Statistics.
The right-leaning think tank AEI suggests districts create online roles
for teachers and principals, and that teachers could be assigned to
students who continue to opt for distance learning in the fall.
On the other hand, Linda Darling-Hammond, president and CEO of the
Learning Policy Institute and president of the California State Board
of Education, believes the nose-diving economy could stave off the
teacher losses. Teaching is considered a stable job in times of
uncertainty, said Darling-Hammond, who added the profession could end
up with fewer teacher shortages than it has now.
|
|
|
|
