Colorado’s rural school districts are on the brink of crisis when it comes to finding enough teachers to fill the classrooms. Colorado is simply not producing enough teachers, reports Colorado Public Radio. Over the past five years, enrollments in the state's teacher prep schools are down 23 percent. Math, science and special education teachers are especially in demand. Colorado has begun to recruit educators in states with teacher surpluses, such as Michigan and Utah.
Experts point to many reasons for the shortage. These include the current political climate, poor school conditions, lack of respect from students and parents, student misbehavior and higher-paying jobs elsewhere. New testing and teacher evaluations have also added to the pressures of the job.