To staff our classrooms . Were talking about the Teacher Shortage. Now, you may remember at the beginning of the school year, districts were scrambling to fill job openings. In fact, this was oakland just days before the start of school, holding a mass job fair as the district tried to fill 70 open spots. Now, since then, the picture really hasnt improved much. School districts are now entering recruitment season for next year, and it doesnt look good. The teacher pipeline is in crisis. Enrollment in teacher credentialing programs saw a sharp decline, down 70 . Translation, there are a lot of unfilled jobs. More than 13,000 openings in california right now, nearly twice the number at this time last year. Now, most in demand, math and science teachers, as well as special ed and bilingual teachers. Now, heres a snapshot of the bay area. There are almost 1,400 job openings in alameda county, over 1,000 in santa clara county, nearly 4 times the number last year. Five hundred twentynine in san mateo county, six hundred sixtyeight in Contra Costa County, and one hundred fortythree in San Francisco. Im joined now by two people who have studied this crisis in depth. Louis freedberg is the executive director of edsource, and Roberta Furger from the learning policy institute in palo alto. All right, louis, i want to start with you. So, what happens when you dont have a teacher to put in a classroom . What happens then . Louis freedberg well, you have to figure out what youre going to do. And so, sometimes you can get longterm substitutes, sometimes you can get people on shortterm permits. Theres credentials where you can get waivers. And School Districts just have to scramble and be creative. I mean, i did want to point out that this is not every School District and not in every part of california. And some districts are struggling more than others. Jessica and why is that . Louis well, some districts in rural areas, its much harder to get teachers to go there. Recruiting is always a challenge. In schools where kids are struggling, inner city schools thats not where a teacher would prefer to teach, unfortunately, unless theyre really committed to helping kids who need the help. Jessica roberta, this has really been a long time coming. Weve seen just, like, almost a perfect storm of things happening, the recession, teacher bashing. Its just a very difficult climate for teachers. The economy, teachers, hard to find a place for them to live that they can afford. Just really devastating impacts to the profession. So, weve seen this decline. How much of an impact is this having on students and on learning . Roberta furger well it has a potential impact across the state and for a wide number of students. If youyou know, were working on a new curriculum. The common core curriculum demands higher expectations, different types of programs and performance assessments that go along with it. And to teach to the common core, you need a deeper understanding of content, right . And so, if we have teachers in front of students who arent fully prepared, or maybe teaching out of their field, that has an impact on students ability to learn. Jessica okay, and especially when were talking, you say the really big decline is in those specialized teachers that can really handle, like, the new common core math, where its really about teaching them, you know, theory, and understanding the math, and special ed, and all that. So, what role do you think the current climate plays in not being able to attract enough teachers . I mean, obviously theres the obvious one of like, oh, i graduated school. I can go to google and make x amount of dollars, where as a teacher i may be struggling. How do you change that, though, that outlook on what teaching is . Roberta well, its about what teaching is. Its also ayou know, we had an extended period of layoffs, right, during the budget cuts. And so, young people going into college had experienced their own teachers being laid off, right . And so, if youre looking at perhaps taking on student debt to get through college, and youre thinking, what am i going to do for a living . And am i going to be in a profession where, you know, its questionable whether im going to have a job, right . Thats going to be a hard sell for young people. But i think theres ways we can address it. One is through offering different kinds of loan forgiveness programs, for example. The state did this before, and it was quite successful to help attract young people into highneed fields or highneed communities. We know that, you know, students are leaving with a lot of debt, and if you can attract them by offering some of that loan forgiveness, that can bring new people into the field. It can also bring a more diverse teacher workforce into the field. Jessica how much of a role does the issues of teacher tenure and how weve had this division in the last few years of traditional teacher, teaching to the test, all these different ideas that have come in to what the teaching profession is supposed to be . And almost giving the teachers no, you know, autonomy to teach in the classroom. Roberta well, one of the things we do know is that teacherswhen teachers leave, one of the reason teachers leave is because they dont feel like they have enough autonomy, but also opportunity to be part of the decisionmaking process at a school. Sometimes, its about whether or not you have an administrator who can really support you and help you develop as an instructor. So, all of the different factors that come into play both at the school site, but also in terms of the broader environment certainly end up having an impact on teachers and interest in teaching. Jessica those numbers we saw, pretty impactful. Louis, what do you see as the longterm repercussions if we cant get more teachers into that pipeline . Louis well, terrible. I mean, kidswe have kids, and kids need to be taught, so something has to be done. The legislature has to step up and start putting resources into this. We did a poll with the learning policy institute. And the public, overwhelming support that they view this as a serious problem. They think there should be the kind of loan forgiveness programs. There have to be somesomething has to be put on the table. We cant just say, oh, teaching is a noble profession; you should do it. Particularly in the bay area, where it is so expensive. The housing costs, we know there are stories where teachers cant live in the districts where theyre teaching. So, the public feels that the legislature has to do something. But the legislature really is asleep on this. Its not doing anything, and they need to. Jessica i want to show folks thatthe poll that you did. Let me show you some of the results. Lets put those on so you can see them 64 of voters think the Teacher Shortage is a very serious issue, 65 think the state should do more. So, we are seeing that a lot of people care. They care, but is there the willingness to do what needs to be done in the legislature and in schools to make sure we can get these teachers in the classrooms . Louis theres a bill on the floor right now in the legislature that has not gone anywhere. Senator pavley has been trying to get this thing through. A very modest bill to give a thousand jessica its like 11,000, i think, isnt it . Loan forgiveness. Louis loans. And sitting there. Jessica it seems like a nobrainer. Louis they have a chance to do something on this, which is not going to be sufficient. But, i think the thing that we have to do, even doing this on a piecemeal basis is not going to work. Whats needed is a comprehensive plan. A recruitment plan with real incentives, and in place of the teacher bashing that weve been seeing for so many years. Roberta well, and the thing too is that we need recruitment, but we also need to retain teachers. So, one of the problems is that we have such significant teacher turnover that districts have to hire year after year after year. So, one of the recommendations we make in our report is to consider teacher residency. So, even here in the bay area, San Francisco has a Residency Program modeled after medical residencies. So, teacher candidates work for an entire year in a school, and theyre working with a mentor teacher, learning how to teach, learning how to express or lead the subject areas. And besides the yearlong program, which is incredibly valuable, it also offers stipends for them so that they have a way to make a living while theyre learning to teach, right . In San Francisco, they offer insurance, they offer stipends for housing even, right . Because as you said, louis, housing is a huge issue here in the bay area. And thats a strategy that doesnt just bring people into the field, but they stay. So, over the 6 years, they have a 97 97 of the teachers are still teaching. Jessica and it was interesting, in reading your report, that it is really like you see a higher percentage of people thinking that they need to keep teachers and need to attract more teachers in minority communities. Because those are usually the schools that get stuck with the teachers that arent doing as well, or are hard to attract teachers, correct . Louis and also the salaries arent as high in those districts as in many suburban districts, so thats another problem. But one of the key issues to address is to keep the teachers once they get into the classroom. I mean, we have so many teachers leaving the profession after 3 to 5 years. And so, if you could keep them there, that would go a long way to addressing the shortage. Jessica so, lots of great ideas, but what do we put in play . So, what do you see coming down the pike as a solution . Do you see it changing in the foreseeable future, or are we kind of stuck where we are . Roberta well, i think were not stuck where we are. And i think thats the most Important Message is there are steps we can take to address it in a really strategic way. So, to both address shortterm need, but longterm, as louis said, the turnover. So, for example, there is a bill around the loan forgiveness. Theres interest in Residency Programs, so some legislators have expressed interest in Residency Programs. Last year, the legislature allocated 490 million for professional development. So, one of the things we know from the research is that beginning teachers, if they get support, they have mentorship, they stay in the district and in the school. So, districts can use some of that money for beginning teacher support, but its not enough. You know, its really a down payment. So, thats another place the state could invest. Jessica louis, are you hopeful that this is not the new normal for california in terms of the Teacher Shortage . Or where do you see us moving forward from here . Louis well, roberta points out that there has been progress in terms of training and retaining teachers. The state has put some money. Definitely not doing enough to recruit teachers. And so, until the state really gets serious about this, that this problem is going to get worse because were facing all these retirements. We didnt even mention that. Weve got a pretty old teaching force. So, this is not going to get any better. Salaries are going up in the bay area. Teaching salaries are not going up nearly as much. School districts are finding theyve got to bump up the salaries. But you know, they are limited by how much they get from the state. Jessica right, and like we do in other countries, really value teachers. Like, you see it in other countries where the teachers get to go to school for free, and really value that profession as something important in our lives for our children. Louis well, were just hoping that with the kind of work with the poll, and the work of the learning policy institute, that this issue will be getting more is getting more attention. The public is certainly aware of it. I mean, parents know that whats happening in their kids schools. So, i think its just creating more of a sense of urgency about this. Jessica okay, thank you very much both for being here. Youve certainly done your part in helping us do that. Well, thank you to both roberta and louis. Coming up, the largest Teacher Union in california goes before the highest court in the land, and a lot is at stake at the supreme court. More on that in a moment. [music] special, im jessica aguirre. Some education updates for you now. It could be a landmark decision that rocks the Public School establishment. California teachers unions at odds with challengers before the us supreme court. The issue, whether unions can require nonmembers to pay a share of dues for Services Like collective bargaining. Now, the case could have serious implications for unions throughout the nation. Larry gerston well, its a major threat to the unions, Public Sector unions certainly. Itll start with teachers and probably others as well. And if thats the case, unions, which are one of the most active, politically active groups in sacramento and elsewhere, are going to have to look for funding their causes from some other source. Jessica a decision in this closely watched case is expected in june. Okay, if you could redo high school, what would you do differently . If you could remake high school, how would you change it . Now is your chance to have a say. Laurene powell jobs, the wife of the late steve jobs, has launched a 50 million challenge to reboot high school. Its called xq the super school project. Now, according to xq, high school hasnt really changed for more than 100 years, and its time to reinvent it. The campaign travels around the country to ask students and Community Members what would they like to see different. Marlene what we found as most profound is that curriculum needs to be rethought, the way we use Classroom Technology needs to be rethought, and the way that there is a disconnect between the school and the Larger Community needs to be rethought and reimagined. Jessica the project includes a competition for new ideas, and the winning concepts will be used to create five to ten new public high schools. And finally, a shout out to any bay area student who has grit, hustle, and perseverance. It is time for the Khan Academy Learnstorm competition. First told you about learnstorm last year, when students at East Palo Alto were honored for their work in online math competition. Learnstorm awards tenacity and grit, promoting students who have the willpower to stick with it even when the going gets tough mathematically speaking. Now, learnstorm is a free competition. You can sign up at learnstorm2016. Org. Coming up, try out a career as a veterinarian while youre still in high school. This east bay senior is already getting a jump on college and career. Were going to tell you how after the break. [music] with just your age, income, zip code,g for Health Insurance and the number of people in your household. Information you probably know off the top of your head. Enroll by january 31st to avoid the irs tax penalty. If you havent checked out covered california in a while, weve got some new options that might interest you. Like adult dental coverage. Great news for you. And your sweet tooth. To find free, local, inperson help, visit coveredca. Com bend me shape me, any way you want me as long as you love me, its alright bend me shape me, any way you want me shape the best sleep of your life. Sleep number beds with sleepia technology adjust any way you want it the bed that moves you. Only at a sleep number store. Jessica okay, talk about a real world experience. This High School Senior from the east bay is interning at a vets office. In fact, she works directly with the animals, in this case assisting with acupuncture. And did i mention she is still in school . Sophie samii is a student in trivalley rop. Its a program that works with three east bay School Districts to give students on the job experience. And i am joined now by sophie. Sophie goes to foothill high in pleasanton. Also with us today is the superintendent for the trivalley regional occupational program, or rop, julie duncan. Julies Program Gives students like sophie the chance to do internships, jobs, and earn college credit. And all of this is while theyre still in high school, which is pretty amazing. And so, theyre in school and then almost every day they go off to participate in this real life internship, right . Julie duncan that is correct. We have over 470 students a day in internship programs during the school day. Jessica thats crazy. Thats amazing. How much fun. So, youre doing an internship in veterinary science. Sophie samii yes. Jessica so, you go to this veterinarians office. How do you like that . That must be so much fun. Sophie its a lot of fun, yeah. I go every day for three and a half hours, and i get to see what the vets do, how the techs work. Its a lot of fun working with animals. Jessica and do you go during the school day, or is this after school . Sophie during the school day. Instead of going to class fifth and sixth period, i go to work. Jessica oh my god, that sounds like so much fun. So, tell me a little bit of what got you interested in doing the rop program. Sophie well, ive always been interested in veterinary medicine, but i never really knew if thats something i wanted to do. So, i found out about this class actually when i was at the vet with my cat. And i wanted towanted to get an internship and see if i actually enjoyed working in a Veterinary Office. And i really enjoy it, so now i know its what i want to do. Jessica thats amazing. So, what other kinds of programs are there aside from veterinary medicine . Julie well, she is part of a class thats called medical occupation. So, there are a variety of internships that our students are placed in, dentistry offices at kaiser, stanford at valleycare. We have actually everywhere. We have developmental psychology of children, which is if you want to be a teacher, teaching careers, that class. Also, students go into daycare facilities and k through fifth grade to actually student teach. We have business courses, we have automotive, we have video game design, animation and motion graphics. Jessica wow, you have everything. So, whos a good fit for Something Like this . Julie well, truly any student. You know, common core talks a lot about college and career readiness. Rops been around 4 years, trivalley for 40 years, and we really want students to try on a career. Have a career by choice, not by chance, so that any student thinking, i might want to do this, come try it on. Take a class for a semester, a year, see if thats something that you like. And of course, for sophie, that was something that she found was really interesting. So really any student whos thinking about going into a certain field, they really know what they want to do, or maybe they have an inkling, go try it on because we want to help those students decide. Jessica is this like a 21st century version of vocational therapy . I mean Vocational School . I mean, i remember when i went to school, you could pick a class like that, but this seems so much more advanced than that. Julie exactly. You know, voc ed is a term that people that have been in the industry a long time refer to that term. Its not Technical Education because were teaching them not only a technical skill, but how to make that skill a career, and to have the option. In our classes, we call it the triple threat. They get college credit, typically a certification that allows them to go right into industry, and then theyre college and career ready. Our courses are uc approved, so you can put that on your application. Jessica so sophie, what do you think the benefit of doing these classes has been for you . Sophie the major benefit for me is kind of confirming that this is what i want to go into as an adult, and also people get college credit. And a lot students in my class will choose to take the medical assistant exam so they can go right into working with that. Jessica okay, and so what kinds of things have you been able to do at the Veterinary Office . Sophie so, in my Veterinary Office, theres a pet hotel and a, like, vet hospital. So, ive worked in both, helping board animals in the hotel and kind of some office workand then also working with the techs and the vets themselves and watching exams, helping preop and postop, taking out iv catheters. Jessica i might have to call you for veterinary help in the neighborhood because i live in pleasanton as well. You know, theres always a lot of talk about that people are just not going to be ready for all the jobs that are out there, theyre not going to be able to fill. But this seems to really fit a need, and it seems like you also have many pathways with this. It could be for the student like her that wants to still go to some place like uc davis and do a 4year or a 6year degree, and maybe for a student who doesnt. Julie exactly. Our programs are geared so if you want to just go right into the Community College or technical school, the certification that youre going to receive is going to allow you to be a step ahead of everybody else. And statistics have shown that if students have college credit, at least six units, they will complete a program because theyre ready. Jessica and how successful is the program . Julie oh, well, weve been around for 40 years. Jessica so youre successful. That would be my answer. Julie and you know, its great. Theres so many different facets were going into now. I mean, now were into the technology and stem careers, and we are branching out with that regionally as well because, as a region, we can offer more to students. Its very expensive to offer these classes in one high school, so our class is regional. You know, sophie takes this course at granada high school, but shes a foothill student. Our students travel between dublin, livermore, and pleasanton. Businesses like to see that. They like us leveraging resources, so you know, they want to contribute. Jessica so, you have a consortium with these three districts. But there are other rops in other districts that people can look into as well . Julie oh, its great. Right here in this area, there is actually metroed that services this area. And then in alameda county, we have Mission Valley rop, as well as eden rop. And then in Contra Costa County, its Contra Costa County rop. So, theyre at every high school around. Jessica so, sophie, tell me a little bit about what youre going to do when you graduate, and what your plans are, and how will you look back at this time and think about your time in rop. Sophie well, after i graduate, i want to go to a 4year school, get a degree in bio, and then apply for vet schools, and hope i get in because theyre so competitive. But im just really grateful that i took this class and earned the experience that really confirmed my love for veterinary medicine. Jessica and do you go around touting this to all your friends at school . My question is, rops been around for so long, why is it that a lot of parents dont really, i think, fully understand . My daughter goes to a rival high school, amador. And i have to say i didnt really know this much about it when i went in. Julie well, so segments like this are really going to help. Were really trying to get the word out. I think we need to do a better job of marketing ourselves and sharing student stories. And so, were really trying to transform that this last couple years. Weve been working very hard on that as a region and as californias rops working together to spread that word. And the state has answered. Theres a lot of incentive grants for regional work out there right now, which we are a part of in trivalley rop, so thats great. Jessica that sounds fantastic. So, sophie, soon ill be coming to you as dr. Sophie with my ailing rabbit. Sophie yeah. Jessica okay, thats fantastic. Thank you both for being here, and congratulations again on this great work that youre doing. Well be right back. [music] here in vineland, home of progresso, we figured out how to get rich ingredients like bacon into 22 light soups, so if you want 100 calories or less per serving without giving up rich flavor do what we do. Make it progresso. You say avocado old el paso says. Zesty chicken and avocado tacos in our stand n stuff tortillas. record scratch you say stand n stuff tortillas old el paso says. Start somewhere fresh us tonight. Certainly hope you learned something, and you can see all of our class action stories on our website. All you have to do is visit nbcbayarea. Com. Thanks for watching this class action news special. Well see you next time. [music] im sara gore, and this is open house. This week were inside a Santa Barbara home thats the epitome of private coastal living. Designer Benjamin Dhong takes us on a tour of a serene Design Project in San Francisco. And its modern Luxury Living and incredible views from a new york city penthouse in the sky. The living room flows seamlessly into the dining room. And in this setting every meal will taste like a gourmet meal. Trust me. Plus staging tips from the experts to get your home off the market. But first, its Luxury Living at its finest on miami beach. This is what living in miami is all about. Your saltwater pool, your lounge area, your waterfall. I want to show you something that youll never see anywhere else the elevator bar. Yep, you heard me, the elevator bar. [music playing]