The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents says paid stipends and expansion of student loan forgiveness will help in meeting Wisconsin’s workforce demand for teachers and school leaders.
The proposals were included in UW System President Tommy Thompson’s 2021-23 biennial budget recommendations, which the Board approved last fall.
“Employers across Wisconsin need talent, and our schools are no different—especially in rural areas and in special education, bilingual education, and science, math and technology fields,” said Regent President Andrew S. Petersen. “These two steps could make a real difference.”
Unmet demand for highly qualified teachers and school leaders has emerged as UW System Schools and Colleges of Education have experienced a significant decrease in student enrollment in teacher education programs over the past decade.
Linda Haling
“I applaud the efforts of UW System to address the concern of teacher shortages in Wisconsin,” said Linda Haling, dean of the UW Oshkosh College of Education and Human Services. “The two proposed strategies will not solve the challenge of teacher shortages, but they may help to start breaking down some of the financial barriers for teacher education students.”
Haling said UWO plays a critical role preparing future teachers.
In recent years, UWO was the second largest producer of teachers in the state of Wisconsin, graduating approximately 200 students per year across a variety of licensing areas. Nevertheless, she said, the number of people entering the field of education continues to decrease, not just in Wisconsin, but nationwide.
The first solution the Regents discussed was issuing paid stipends for students who are required to teach as part of their teacher education programs at UW System Schools and Colleges of Education. A $500 per teacher stipend would serve as a direct incentive while helping offset the cost of tuition; if offered to 2,000 teachers, it would cost $1 million annually.
The second solution discussed was an expansion of existing student loan forgiveness programs through the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board (HEAB). HEAB currently administers two loan programs, the Teacher Loan Program and the Minority Teacher Loan Program, which provide up to $10,000 in state loan forgiveness annually for a maximum of $30,000.
The Board discussed altering these programs to include more teaching fields, allow both teachers and school leaders to qualify, target high-need school districts and subject matter fields, and require teachers and school leaders to remain in Wisconsin to qualify for loan forgiveness. It is anticipated the expansion would provide approximately $500,000 in loan forgiveness annually.
“My budget proposal aims to recruit more teachers and school leaders,” Thompson said. “I believe the legislature can use our resources to solve some of the challenges facing this state – and this is definitely one of them.”
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