Thumbs up: Creating rather than recruiting teachers

What do you get when you subtract thousands of teaching jobs, as California did starting in 2007, and then add in a 35 percent reduction in the number of college students seeking teaching degrees? You get the lowest number of teachers in the workforce in 10 years. Nevertheless, thanks to some smart planning and creative new programs, local schools started the year without the teacher shortage problems that have slowed other districts. In fact, Santa Rosa City Schools began the year without any vacancies among full-time teachers.

Santa Rosa schools addressed the problem by starting its hiring process earlier and making job offers sooner. Educators also credit a program by the Sonoma County Office of Education that offers a credentialing path for local professionals looking to change careers. The first class produced 27 graduates. Given the high cost of housing in this area, it makes sense to create educators from within rather than recruiting from without. Thumbs up to that.