I'm trying to recall something I read some time ago. Many teachers are female. Back in the day, a teacher's salary was supplemental income to her husband's salary. So it's difficult to see a starting teacher's salary as a viable profession for a male who needs to support a family. And with girls not being fostered into math and science fields back in the day, that field was dominated by men.
Also, I know several scientists who would love to teach highschool science but don't want to spend 2 years taking useless education courses. I am qualified to teach college courses but I can't teach high school courses w/out education credits. It is my understanding from scientists friends who have gone this route, the 2yrs of education courses didn't help them w/ teaching in the classroom. I think a mentorship program, apprenticeship would be the way to go.
What happened to supply and demand? If some is scarce, such as quality math and science teachers, you pay more for it.
In Singapore, they have dedicated math teachers. Their job is to teach math, not reading and social studies and spelling. My friend who teaches elementary says that most teachers she knows spends the least amt of time on math as they can get away with. And science, they'd rather have teeth extracted.
My son's 2nd grade teacher how afraid she is of science. But she just tells the kids, "I don't know, let's look it up." I applauded her for that at least. I went in regularly to do science w/ the kids. She said she usually sent the kids to my son when they had questions regarding science and he always knew the answer.
Austin, I agree that we are mired in a "fairness" quagmire.
