Teacher Numbers Down 30% Since 2010, Says DPI

New numbers reveal the extent of Wisconsin’s teacher shortage. The Department of Public Instruction says Wisconsin has nearly 30-percent fewer new teachers than a decade ago. That means fewer teachers who are working their way through their careers. The D-P-I’s David DeGuire says a lot of factors play into the numbers, including the difficulty of becoming a teacher, and relatively low pay for new teachers. Wisconsin is not alone. Illinois’ and Michigan’s new-teacher numbers are down nearly 60-percent over the same period.