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Two dead after 2 small planes collide midair in AZ; New research offers solutions to address violence in MS; Frozen funds hurting farmers in MO, nation; Bill to legally protect pesticide companies could be coming to ID.

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State legislators chip away at early voting laws, the North Carolina Supreme Court election saga continues, and universal private school voucher programs expand nationwide, putting public school funding at risk.

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A Taos, NM sheriff won't comply with immigration enforcement that could erode public trust, NH worries that a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to vacation elsewhere, and Southern states promote workarounds to improve education.

KY House Education Committee Approves Bill to Address Teacher Shortage 

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Monday, February 27, 2023   

Lawmakers in the Kentucky House Education Committee have greenlighted a bill aimed at addressing the state's widespread teacher shortage. It is estimated there are thousands of teacher vacancies in school districts across the state.

House Bill 319 would allow someone with at least a bachelor's degree and at least four years of experience in their field to teach, under the supervision of a certified teacher. The bill would also streamline the pathway to state certification for military spouses who are certified to teach in other states.

Sara Green, a Fayette County Middle School teacher and member of the American Federation of Teachers-Kentucky 120 United, said the bill is a good start.

"However, the bigger problem, that our legislature refuses to deal with, is the issue of making sure that we retain our teachers that we already have in the profession," Green contended.

The legislation would also create an online statewide job-posting system, loosen requirements for teacher scholarships, and -- if funding is available -- expand the "GoTeachKY" ambassador program. The House Education Committee approved the measure by an 18-0 vote. It now heads to the full House for consideration.

Green pointed out schools are also grappling with shortages of bus drivers, care professionals and cafeteria employees, and said educators are taking on more responsibilities every day because schools are not fully staffed. Green believes the problem will be fixed if Kentucky fails to address teacher pay and benefits, noting there is little incentive for college graduates to enter the field.

"I feel like because we've become political pawns, our ideas -- and just our objective story about what's going on right now -- has been completely dismissed," Green asserted.

A 2021 Rand Corporation Survey found almost half of experienced teachers who voluntarily stopped teaching in public schools after March 2020 left because of the pandemic, citing stress and insufficient pay as the main factors driving their early retirement.


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