Recruiting Teachers in High Needs STEM Fields

The United States faces persistent shortages of appropriately prepared middle and high school STEM teachers in high needs fields, particularly physics, chemistry, and computer science. The American Physical Society, American Chemical Society, Computing Research Association and Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership surveyed over 6000 current and recent majors in our disciplines. Our recommendations to professional societies and disciplinary departments are to:\newline Promote middle and high school teaching with undergraduate majors and graduate students.\newline Support high quality academic programs that prepare students for STEM teaching, and expand good models to more universities.\newline Expand programs that provide financial and other support for students pursuing STEM teaching.\newline Advocate for increases in annual compensation, including summer stipends, on the order of \$5K--\$25K for teachers in the hardest to staff STEM disciplines.\newline Support programs that improve the professional life and community of STEM teachers.