Lawmakers To Discuss Recommendations On How To Address Teacher Shortage

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers are set to discuss possible recommendations about how best to address the state's teacher shortage.

Legislators will gather at the Statehouse for Monday's meeting of an education panel that's been gathering input on potential solutions to the state's 33 percent drop in the number of teaching licenses issued since 2009.

Republicans have disputed arguments blaming the drop on school overhaul actions such as additional student testing and allowing private school vouchers adopted in recent years.

They say the short supply of teachers is also happening in states that haven't adopted similar measures.

A survey of Indiana school districts found about 5 percent of teaching jobs were unfilled when the school year started, with the most vacancies in special education, elementary, and math and science positions.