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Taking on � K-12 Teacher Shortage

Sherri Anderson – Director, Ed Preparation

Dr. Terry Schliesman – Director, ADC

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Greg Smith

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WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY | GO.WESTERN.EDU | GUNNISON, CO

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Our issue: �K-12 teacher shortage 

  • According to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), for the 2021-22 school year, approximately 7,000 of the 62,000 teacher/SSP positions needed to be filled, and a staggering 1958 (28%) of those open positions went unfilled or staffed through a shortage mechanism.

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  • This constitutes a crisis for districts across Colorado as they are forced to stretch an already overextended staff and faculty and, in some cases, cover classes with unlicensed teachers.

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  • For example, meet Jolene

                    50-years-old, mother of three and community builder

                    20-year paraprofessional and long-term sub, Canyon City District

                    Entered Western in August '22, projected graduation date: May '24 

                    Scheduled to begin teaching in Canyon City, August '24

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  • Opportunity: We work with school districts and their paraprofessionals on degree completion and licensure, converting paras to CDE-qualified teachers.  

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WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY | GO.WESTERN.EDU | GUNNISON, CO

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We have a solution!�Adult Degree Completion + Teacher Licensure�

  • Convenient: 100% online, asynchronous coursework for degree and licensure, targeting working adults (paras) across Colorado

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  • Credible: Authorized and accredited by the Colorado Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Long history of excellence in teacher preparation. A+ from NCTQ in Reading and Mathematics

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  • Affordable: Licensure students earn up to 85% scholarships between COSI and ERR, reducing out-of-pocket cost to $4,000

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  • Feasible: Over 90% persistence rate in 2022-23

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  • Expanding: YOY enrollment growth of over 400% (15 to 65 students), currently working with 10-15 school districts

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  • Unique: Western is the only university in Colorado to provide a 100% online, asynchronous pathway to degree completion and licensure for paras wanting to teach.

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WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY | GO.WESTERN.EDU | GUNNISON, CO

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This is our need 

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To help meet the high demand and potential of para-to-teacher upskilling, particularly in rural Colorado.

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To graduate excellent K-12 teachers for the benefit of our society.

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To find a sustainable revenue source to replace temporary state grant funding to avoid revenue deficit. To continue to offer an affordable, realistic, high-quality pathway for paraprofessionals

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Overall objective: To find a long-term partner interested in helping resolve the K-12 teacher shortage in Colorado.

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WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY | GO.WESTERN.EDU | GUNNISON, CO

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Thank you for your time...��Questions?

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY | GO.WESTERN.EDU | GUNNISON, CO