Casperson Says Teacher Standards are Contributing to UP Teacher Shortage

The standards the state has set to fill specialized teaching vacancies could be contributing to an eventual teacher shortage in the Upper Peninsula, according to one state lawmaker.

State Senator Tom Casperson says it’s especially hard for schools in rural areas to fill those vacancies.

He says many districts have teachers who could step in to those roles but don’t meet state standards to teach in specialized areas.

Casperson says that speaks less to the ability of those teachers and more to the state setting the bar too high.

A recent survey of U.P. school superintendents finds most expect to lose 25 percent of their teachers over the next five years and they don’t think they’ll be able to find teachers to replace them.