Larry Hoyt: Many reasons for teacher shortages

Re “Wanted: New teachers, and a system that values them” (Page 1B, March 2): Reporter Nan Austin’s article on the teacher shortage got off topic. The separate issues of teachers layoffs and a diatribe regarding the retention of experienced teachers got into the mix. These factors would indicate a surplus of teachers, not a shortage.

The reasons for the teacher shortage are simple. Twenty percent of teachers quit within two years of entering the profession; 40-50 percent after five years. Many valuable and effective experienced teachers retire early or slip into easy non-classroom positions. Fewer people want to be teachers.

The reasons teachers cite for quitting are varied, but like any profession they relate to work conditions, respect and location. Some districts and administrators fail to establish needed behavior expectations for students and new teachers are placed in classrooms they cannot control. The new California law prohibiting suspension of a student for disrespect of a teacher hasn’t helped. A student can tell a teacher to “F---k off” and cannot be sent home.

Not only has the implementation of Common Core in California resulted in a dumbing down of curriculum, it has resulted in a dumbing down of student behavior. Students who want to learn pay the price.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 2:56 PM with the headline "Larry Hoyt: Many reasons for teacher shortages."