New York’s largest teachers union says the state already has practical answers to its growing educator shortage.
As Gov. Kathy Hochul rolls out proposals to rebuild New York’s teacher workforce, New York State United Teachers released a new report outlining what it calls “ready-to-implement” solutions to recruitment and certification problems.
The report, Forging a New Future: Recruitment and Certification, comes as schools across the state struggle to fill positions in key subject areas.
Shortages growing as pipelines shrink
NYSUT points to federal data showing persistent shortages in secondary special education, career and technical education, science, English language arts, math and library media specialists.
At the same time, the pipeline of new teachers continues to shrink. NYSUT research shows enrollment in teacher preparation programs has dropped 42 percent since 2009. Program completions have fallen by at least 35 percent over the same period.
Union leaders warn those trends threaten students’ access to qualified educators statewide.
Educator-led solutions
Over the past two years, NYSUT convened a statewide workgroup of educators and teacher educators, from early childhood through higher education, to study what is broken in the current system.
The result is a set of evidence-based recommendations aimed at recruiting and retaining educators, reducing financial barriers and simplifying a certification process the union says has become overly complex.
“These are not theoretical ideas; they are shovel-ready solutions,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “We appreciate the governor’s focus on rebuilding the educator workforce, and we encourage policymakers to seriously consider these proposals as steps we can take immediately this year. Our students don’t have time to wait.”
Paying student teachers
One of the top recommendations calls for a statewide student teacher stipend program. The proposal would pay aspiring educators during their required student teaching placements.
NYSUT says states that have adopted stipends have seen immediate gains in recruitment.
The report also stresses that strengthening the pipeline does not mean lowering standards. The union’s proposals focus on cutting red tape, including simplifying certification pathways, improving reciprocity and addressing application backlogs, while keeping New York’s existing expectations for educators.
“Our members know what it takes to attract and keep great educators in the profession,” said NYSUT Executive Vice President Jaime Ciffone. “These recommendations reflect years of work by educators themselves and offer a clear roadmap for policymakers who are serious about solving the teacher shortage.”
The full report and additional budget proposals are available through NYSUT.
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