A university can turn out outstanding teachers, but that is no help to local school systems if not enough teachers graduate, or if they burn out in a few years. Across Louisiana, schools lack sufficient numbers of certified teachers. In some places the teachers lack preparation in the subjects they are assigned to teach. Then, there is a gender gap. We don t have many males going into elementary education.
Retention is a problem, too.
After one year, we lose 25 percent of our new teachers statewide. After two years, it s 35 to 40 percent. The councils get the name from the push for improving schools from pre-kindergarten to the college years. Louisiana Commissioner of Higher Education Joseph Savoie came to speak on colleges role in recruiting and retaining teachers for the elementary and secondary school systems. We ve got to do something to prepare people to teach young people, especially pre-kindergarten through third grade.