These percentages are the highest since the early 1970s and nearly twice what they were at their low point, in 1982. Several universities report that more students are interested in becoming teachers. Harvard's Graduate School of Education, for example, has reported a 34 percent increase in applications since 1990. Horst Von Dorpowski, assistant dean in the College of Education at Penn State University also sees signs of progress. Many believe salaries will have to rise if the nation is to replace the thousands of teachers retiring in the next few years, as well as meet the demands for smaller class sizes and rising enrollments.
Experts also say the image of teaching is changing.
Michael Padilla, director of the School of Teacher Education at the University of Georgia, says enrollment has been pretty flat in recent years except at the master's level and specialist areas, such as reading and English as a second language. However, the UCLA survey and other reports of increased interest by college students don't necessarily mean that students will pursue teaching jobs or even degrees in education. Many college students change their minds before graduating, but other signs of renewed interest in teaching also are emerging. Meanwhile, recruiters at teacher-placement organizations say applicant pools are steady or growing. Teach for America demands only a two-year teaching commitment and does not require new teachers to be certified.