With a pivotal hearing on teacher pay looming on the horizon, the Senate Education Committee heard a sobering report Monday: Idaho school districts are facing a serious teacher shortage. The shortage is serious enough that districts are struggling to find qualified staff. Of 65 districts surveyed, only 10 districts were able to hire fully qualified or certified teachers for positions, said Patti Mortensen, an assistant professor at Idaho State University’s College of Education. It’s an “alarming” statistic, Mortensen told senators, because administrators and other faculty members are forced to take on additional duties/Kevin Richert, IDEDNews.org. More here.

Question: Anyone know why Idaho might have a teacher shortage?