SPRINGFIELD — From hiring retired educators to adjusting class offerings, Illinois schools are relying on a variety of short-term, innovative measures to cope with a prolonged and critical statewide teacher shortage.
The most recent survey of education leaders from the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools shows overall shortage percentages similar to pre-pandemic levels, yet school districts are still struggling to ease less-than-optimal student-teacher ratios.
“For our school districts throughout the state, (the teacher shortage) is not universally created everywhere. It looks different in every place, but I think everybody believes — or at least feels like — it’s a challenge,” said Gary Tipsord, IARSS executive director. “So, let’s accept that as a reality, and then that will allow us to best solve this sustainably.”…