Know Where We can Get One Million Qualified Teachers?

Last week I touched on distance learning evolving as a traditional method for high school online learning.  Inserted in my blog was this quote from the Alliance For Excellent Education touching on the role of the teacher.

“…rather, students will take more responsibility for their own learning, and teachers will serve as facilitators and guides to the high-quality educational content that is now coming into the classroom from many sources.”

I received a few comments expressing teachers are more than just guides but “certified” experts.  I certainly agree and would add online technology strengthens the teaching force.  Imagine expert teachers providing support and coaching for teachers in any part of the country at any time.  Not a new concept but has the ability for widespread application. 

Take for a moment this illustration at the 30,0000 foot level:

Imagine constructing a giant secondary school for the six million students in grades 7–12 most at risk of dropping out of school. If, in this hypothetical school, every teacher averaged twenty-five students in a class, with each student enrolled in four classes, the school would need almost one million teachers. What is the likelihood that such a school, representing only 25 percent of the total secondary school population, could attract and retain one million highly effective teachers in all subject areas?

A real challenge is evident in rural schools, where 25 percent of the students in U.S. schools currently attend.  Rural schools and many urban areas have long and difficult time attracting teachers with content knowledge to staff their schools.  In addition, a larger number of the teaching force is nearing retirement making it difficult for these schools to find qualified teachers with content knowledge to accelerate improvements in achievement and attainment. 

We can increase our reach to the student through the teacher both vertically and horizontally with effective online instruction coupled with a data rich environment bringing accountability for student outcomes to a much higher and meaningful level.