PHOENIX (March 26, 2018) \u2013 Teachers of Tomorrow announced today that the Arizona State Board of Education approved the first educator preparation and certification program under a new method for approving programs in the state. Arizona Teachers of Tomorrow will immediately begin recruiting and certifying teachers to help alleviate the critical teacher shortage in the state. The Arizona state legislature created the new method for approving programs in the 2017 legislative session by passing Senate Bill 1042.<\/p>\n
During the last school year, there were more than 1,000 teacher vacancies unfilled as of October. According to the 2016 Title II report, there has been a 42 percent decrease in enrollment in teacher preparation programs and a 10 percent decrease in those that complete these programs between 2012 and 2015. Arizona has seen extreme shortages in areas such as science, math, special education and English as a second language; and many rural and urban schools struggle to find the talent they need.<\/p>\n
\u201cArizona, like many states, is now seeing the impact of declining interest in teaching and we are excited to help school districts quickly address a growing teacher shortage,\u201d said Vernon Reaser, CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow.\u00a0\u201cWe know from experience that opening new pathways to teaching allows career changers to enter the profession, and with thorough training and support, stay in the profession.\u201d<\/p>\n
Teachers of Tomorrow worked closely with the Arizona State Board of Education to ensure the program met all state requirements and is fully aligned to all state standards. The very thorough process established by the state board will help ensure Arizona Teachers of Tomorrow teachers be better able to have success in Arizona classrooms.<\/p>\n