Introduction

Teacher supply and quality in Tennessee and the United States have reached a crisis point, particularly in science and mathematics. Schools frequently lack sufficient numbers of highly-qualified teachers to educate their students effectively. The best and brightest college students typically choose careers other than education, and the best young teachers often leave the classroom within their first five years. Although the experienced teacher core has been a mainstay of public education, accelerating retirements among this group likely will worsen the dilemma.