Why does the program put such an emphasis on teacher quality?
Recognizing and rewarding quality educators has been a hallmark of the Milken Educator Awards program since its inception. However, as the lack of advancement opportunities drives classroom teachers out of the profession and fewer young people pursue a career in education, the nation faces a potentially catastrophic shortage of quality classroom teachers. Over the next 10 years, schools will need to hire over two million new teachers, but will come up short by more than a third. Studies show that only one in 10 college-bound high school students are strongly interested in teaching as a career, due in part to competition from the private sector, which is having a particularly damaging effect on the supply of science and math teachers.