The Demand

The demand for preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle and secondary school teachers is projected to grow at an average pace. While the demand for teachers who specialize in math, science and bilingual education is expected to sore.

The Statistics

Employment of school teachers is expected to grow by 12 percent between 2006 and 2016, approximately the average projected growth for all occupations. This growth will create 479,000 new teaching positions.

Through 2016, fast-growing states such as Nevada, Arizona, Texas and Georgia will experience the largest enrollment increases. Enrollment in the Midwest is expected to hold relatively steady, while enrollment the Northeast is expected to decline.

Teachers who are geographically mobile and who obtain licenses in more than one subject should have a distinct advantage in finding a job.

The number of teachers employed is dependent on expenditures for education and on the enactment of legislation to increase the quality and scope of public education. At the federal level, there has been a large increase in funding for education, particularly for the hiring of qualified teachers in lower income areas.

Also, some states are instituting programs to improve early childhood education, such as offering full day kindergarten and universal preschool. These programs, along with projected higher enrollment growth for preschool age children, will create many

Next >>