ANOTHER BRIGHT SPOT IN THE ILLINOIS SCHOOL REPORT CARD IS THAT THE STATE IS MAKING A LOT OF HEADWAY IN OVERCOMING THE NATIONAL TEACHER SHORTAGE. 

MORE THAN 25-HUNDRED FULL TIME TEACHERS WERE ADDED DURING THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR, INCLUDING 500 BLACK AND HISPANIC TEACHERS. BUT STATE SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT CARMEN AYALA SAYS THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO.

AYALA SAYS EFFORTS TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MINORITY TEACHERS ARE PAYING OFF.

AYALA SAYS THERE’S ALSO A DIRE NEED FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS IN ILLINOIS. THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS STAYING ON THE JOB IS THE HIGHEST IT’S BEEN SINCE RETENTION RATES STARTED BEING REPORTED BACK IN 2014.