Indiana Teacher Shortage List Includes Special Needs, STEM Subjects

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 11:10 AM

Indiana continues to lack educators in multiple subjects.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Teacher shortages continue to be a problem in the Hoosier state.

The Indiana Department of Education this week will submit to the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) its most recent list of teacher shortage areas.

Indiana’s list highlights the statewide struggle to find teachers for nearly 15 subjects, including Exceptional Needs and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

“Sadly, ‘Indiana’ and ‘Teacher Shortage’ have become synonymous terms,” said Dr. Jennifer McCormick, Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction. “For nearly a decade we have struggled to find educators to fill even the frequently offered classroom subjects. Unfortunately, this shortage continues to spill into areas not only critical to Indiana’s educational plan, but areas that prepare our students for a bright future. This also highlights the greater issue that Indiana’s educators deserve better pay and more practitioner-inclusive legislation in order to attract and retain them.”

Anyone who is seeking to become a Licensed Indiana Teacher is encouraged to visit the DOE’s Educator Preparation Programs website at www.doe.ig.gov/epps.