Why is it hard to find computer science teachers?
For many years, hiring teachers in certain areas and for particular subjects – math, special education, and computer science – has been an uphill battle. This situation is unlikely to improve overnight, but we can at least make a start by understanding the causes of this problem.
There are several reasons why it’s so difficult to find computer science (CS) teachers:
Lack of qualified candidates: While the demand for CS education at the school level continues to grow, the pool of qualified CS teachers remains limited. Many people with the technical skills needed to teach computer science don’t have educational experience or qualifications.
Competition for talent: The tech, finance, and other industries are significant employers of computer scientists. They can typically afford compensation packages and offer opportunities for career advancement the typical school district can only dream of. This fact leaves computer experts with little financial incentive to earn teaching licenses.
Stereotypes and bias: Despite improvements in recent years, many people still consider computer science as a field that’s more suitable for men. This belief can discourage women (as well as other underrepresented groups) from studying CS to begin with. Considering that almost three-quarters of teachers are female, this preconception further restricts the pool of qualified computer science teachers.
Limited resources: Schools and districts can’t compete with the private sector to attract and retain highly qualified CS graduates. They can, conceivably, retrain some of their existing teachers in computer skills, but this would put additional strain on already tight budgets.
Rapidly evolving field: Though the principles remain largely the same, the cutting edge of computer science advances almost weekly. Without support for continual professional development, teachers find it hard to stay current with the latest trends, technologies, and CS education tools and techniques.
Lack of teacher training programs: Both on- and offline, there are few formal programs designed to either teach experienced teachers computer science or train computer scientists in the fundamentals of classroom education. Since, like with all subjects, particular techniques, and approaches are needed to teach computer science concepts effectively, this further limits the availability of qualified candidates.
High demand, low supply: The best and brightest computer science graduates have many career options. The additional training needed to enter the teaching profession, and working conditions in typical schools provide little material reason for them to choose education as a calling. This shortage of qualified teachers is felt particularly keenly in some geographical regions.
Lack of skills: A degree in computer science as such is not necessarily a requirement for teaching it, even at the high school level. Even so, relatively few teachers possess the necessary background and training. Encouraging prospective teachers to take a few computer science courses as electives may help to improve the situation in the coming years.
In terms of both educational outcomes and long-term national economic competitiveness, the shortage of CS teachers is something that should be addressed urgently. CS certification programs aimed at experienced teachers offer a partial solution, as does promoting a career in education as a viable option for CS students. One thing is certain: the demand for computer science education in schools will continue to grow. The imbalance in the demand and supply of qualified CS teachers will only worsen if we don’t make an effort.
2Sigma School works hard to find the best computer science teachers and practitioners and enables them to be highly effective teachers. With a strong ongoing professional development and support from a growing community of peer teachers, we create a highly diverse and inclusive environment that our educators find unique and invigorating.
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