Class size reduction increased the need for teachers, bringing about 10,000 uncredentialed teachers into the state's primary grade classrooms. But a tidal wave of teacher retirements and continued growth in the student population also play significant roles. Teacher union contracts, which establish seniority bumping rights and prevent mandatory transfers, have exacerbated deficits of experienced teachers at the most troubled schools. The same cannot be said for parents of thousands of children in California, and that is wrong. Though the CalTeach campaign emphasizes the thrills of teaching, those attending Steinberg's conference dwelt on its agonies.
Low salaries continue to be a major obstacle to teacher recruitment.
Just as notorious as poor salaries are lousy working conditions. And fledgling efforts to bring more minority teachers into classrooms, to more closely mirror the diverse student body, have been only moderately successful. Teacher Shortage California will need an estimated 260,000 new teachers in the next decade. Already, districts are struggling to fill openings. For the 1999-2000 school year, an estimated 22,177 teachers are needed statewide.