DC Area Schools Still Lacking Teachers

Some DC area school systems still lack hundreds of teachers as the schools begin to open next week. Surpisingly though, the DC Public schools have the fewest vacancies of any of the local jurisdictions--just 27 according to Chancellor Michelle Rhee:

Rhee said the system started with 220 vacancies this summer but had filled all but 27 of them as of two weeks ago.


"We feel confident that we will be able to open schools with all the declared vacancies filled," she said.


Updated numbers were not available this week, said a school spokeswoman. Schools open Aug. 27.

Prince George's County is reporting 200 vacancies.
Montgomery Count lists approximately 50 vacancies.

Figures for Virginia schools indicate that the closer in suburbs of Arlington and Alexandria will have all vacancies filled, but these are much smaller districts, with 35 and 17 schools respectively. Fairfax, Loudon and Prince William counties were not reported in the quoted Washington Times story.

While all these are "encouraging" I am still left with a question. This happens every year-EVERY YEAR--and yet there doesnt' seem to be much innovation in hiring teachers beyond the uses of a few alternative program like TFA or Troops to Teachers and praying.

What can be done differently?

I have to ruminate a little and do some more study, but anyone out there have any ideas?