WEA members testify in House hearing about statewide educator shortages
Washington’s public schools are facing a severe shortage of certificated staff and education support professionals.
Olympia Education Association members Caitlin Donnelly and Daniel McCartan told members of the House Education Committee Tuesday there are three main factors in the educator shortage: workload, support and compensation.
The good news is that Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed $4 billion K-12 budget makes substantial investments in all three areas. His budget calls for 10 days of professional development, expanding mentorship programs and significant pay increases for teachers and ESP.
The governor’s budget is a great starting point for future budget negotiations between the state House and Senate. Educators are encouraged to email their local legislators in the House and Senate and urge them to build on Gov. Inslee’s excellent proposal.
Some legislators already are dismissing the governor’s budget, and incredibly, Republican legislators on the state’s Education Funding Task Force even said there’s no need to increase salaries beyond current levels. That’s just wrong – and our legislators need to hear why. Email them.
Gov. Inslee showed leadership and courage with his K-12 public school budget, and legislators should follow their lead. Tell them to start with Gov. Inslee’s budget and go even further —our students are worth it!
Research about the educator shortage
- OSPI survey of administrators from Fall 2016 shows teacher shortage is a "crisis" in many districts.
- Learning Policy Institute report that looks at supply, demand and educator compensation.
- OSPI Powerpoint for the House Education Committee, 1/24/17, includes charts showing the teacher shortage in a variety of ways.
- Professional Educator Standards Board presentation, more about policy rather than compensation
