ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina's teacher recruitment agency says the state still faces an annual shortage of several thousand teachers, despite recession-era layoffs.
A report released Friday by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement shows that 5,200 teachers are leaving South Carolina's public school classrooms yearly, while state colleges are graduating only 2,000 education majors. That reflects a 12-year average.
The center based at Winthrop University has released a supply-and-demand report annually since 2001.
The 2012 report indicates hiring has increased significantly from the 2010 low.
The agency's executive director, Jane Turner, says the gap shows that efforts to recruit and retain effective teachers are as critical as ever.
The Education Oversight Committee recommends putting more money in the 2013-14 state budget toward student loan programs for future teachers.
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