Understanding Rural Teacher Shortages in Texas by Examining Teacher Candidates and Teacher Persistence

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: Rural Teacher Retention and Recruitment Strategies (Table 4)

Abstract

Teacher shortages in U.S. schools are reaching critical levels in rural areas (e.g., Miller, 2020). Texas is enormous and largely rural, and contrary to what some may think, students in rural schools are predominately students of color. For perspective, the Texas rural student population is greater than the number of students enrolled in rural schools in 17 U.S. states combined (Showalter et al., 2019). Thus, these shortages negatively impact students of color (Van Overschelde, 2022) exacerbating issues of access and equity. Our quantitative study involves descriptive and inferential statistical methodologies, including logistic regression, using the largest research-only state longitudinal data system (SLDS) in the U.S. to examine pathways to becoming teachers and factors that contribute to persistence in rural areas.

Authors

• Minda M. Lopez, Texas State University
  Presenting Author

• Jim Van Overschelde, Texas State University
  Presenting Author

• Amy Lyn Wiseman, Texas State University
  Presenting Author