THE LEGISLATIVE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS GIVING US A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE TEACHER SHORTAGE IN NEW MEXICO. IT IS RELEASING AN ANALYSIS THAT SHOWS THE STATE WILL HAVE TO RELY ON OUT-OF-STATE TEACHERS, THOSE WITH ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS AS WELL AS LONG-TERM SUBSTITUTES IN ORDER FOR DISTRICTS TO STAY FULLY STAFFED.
THE ANALYSIS ALSO SAYS NEW MEXICO HAS MORE INEXPERIENCED TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. MORE THAN A QUARTER OF ALL TEACHERS WORKING THIS YEAR HAVE LESS THAN FOUR YEARS EXPERIENCE.
THE FULL L-F-C REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED AT A HEARING SCHEDULED FOR THIS THURSDAY.
