Class sizes have increased significantly in many districts as teachers try to fill the void caused by vacant positions. Entire programs, like vocal music, foreign languages, and advanced math and science have been scrapped. There are no guidance counselors or media specialists in several districts.
Students sit in a study hall for nine weeks until an industrial arts teacher can come on board.
These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. It will be months before the Iowa Department of Education gets hard data on the full impact of the shortage on Iowa school districts. More insidious, however, is the impact it is having on students and educators. That's why the ISEA is taking the lead with our campaign to stop the shortage and preserve quality public education for all Iowa students. Every K-12 and Area Education Agency local association president has received an informational kit designed to help create a greater awareness of the problem.