An Exploratory Case Study of How to Estimate Local Teacher Shortages in a High-Poverty Rural Region

• In Event: Applications of Emerging Research in Rural Education

Abstract

Despite the local nature of teacher labor markets, there is very little data available to assess and understand shortages at the local level. Absent this data, policy efforts to address shortages will continue to be based on one-size fits all state-wide solutions that are neither targeted toward nor based upon a full understanding of local problems, particularly for rural schools. This case study seeks to fill that void by developing a research- and theory-grounded approach to estimate multiple ways to measure local supply and demand, estimate shortages, and seek additional local data to contextualize these findings and examine causes and effects, and explore their application in a regional case study of 14 districts in a high poverty rural region.

Authors

• John M. Weathers, 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education

• Natalie Knez