© Michael Cuviello / Amarillo Globe-News / USA TODAY NETWORK
teacher, classroom
(Hartford, CT) – With the start of the new school year just weeks away, Connecticut officials are in a scramble, due to a teacher shortage. Senator Richard Blumenthal is co-sponsoring legislation that aims to forgive full-time teachers’ student loan debt, provided they work for at least five years.
Connecticut’s senior senator said of the teacher shortage that, “The future of your children, our children, and the future of out whole workforce, and therefore our economy, is at stake.” Blumenthal is also pushing for additional funding for teacher training programs and a $15,000 tax credit. Connecticut says it’s short close to 2,500 teachers and support staff.
Nationwide, there are reports of similar situations within various school districts. In some cases administrators are relying on long-term substitute teachers, educators hired from overseas, and larger classes with more students per educator.
Research also shows fewer college graduates are going into teachers, dating back to before the pandemic.
