Ed Source – Louis Freedberg and Michael Collier
“In a move that could result in more federal financial assistance for prospective teachers, the California Department of Education has identified a teacher shortage in almost every subject area in the state, including for the first time physical education, health and dance. Each year California is required to tell the U.S. Department of Education in what subject areas teacher shortages exist, based on a formula established by the federal government, which then publishes a nationwide list of shortage areas. The list carries significant weight because prospective teachers who agree to teach subjects that appear on the list can qualify for federal grants that cover a portion of their college tuition costs, or for forgiveness of some or all of certain federal student loans. California’s list now covers most subject areas in the state.”(more)