Arkansas Seeks Long-Term Solution To Teacher 'Crisis'

By Jeff Archer

Flanked by states moving to raise their teachers' salaries, and having temporarily waived one of its own licensing requirements out of desperation, Arkansas is seeking a solution to a teacher shortage that policymakers there say already has reached "crisis" levels.

A new Arkansas Teacher Quality Task Force was to begin holding meetings in Little Rock this week in the hope of drafting a comprehensive strategy to better recruit and retain new educators. Appointed by the state board of education, the 18-member panel expects to examine raising salaries, expanding alternative paths into the profession, and creating new incentives to work in shortage areas.

The group—which includes state lawmakers, education officials, union leaders, and other representatives of school groups—hopes to complete a set of recommendations before the Arkansas legislature convenes for its...