A recent study revealed the real reason for the teacher shortage in Montana.
According to a report from REL Northwest, educator shortages in Montana are being driven by school systems’ inability to recruit qualified candidates for open positions, not by high rates of teacher turnover, as in many other states. The study analyzed statewide administrative data from the school years 2016/17 and 2017/18.
Now, Havre Public Schools have begun to implement a new program to help better recruit qualified teachers. The process involves hiring high school students to work in the elementary schools alongside teachers. The student will be paid by the district as well as earn school credit.
Brad Moore the Interim Superintendent for Havre public schools explains how students can join the program.
“So, they go through the exact same hiring as any paraprofessional will. They apply online through our application. They go through an interview process with myself and a couple administrators and councilors and a background check, the exact same process as anybody else. So, they get that real life experience of applying for a real job, because that’s what it is.”-Brad Moore
