Dive Brief:
- Senators in South Carolina are looking for ways to recruit good teachers, with suggestions including student loan forgiveness, stipends for teacher mentors, and higher salaries.
- The recommendations are being sent to the state's Senate Finance Committee and are particularly geared toward rural districts, where it's harder to fill positions.
- According to a Senate panel, rural district teachers are paid less than their urban and suburban counterparts.
Dive Insight:
South Carolina ranks No. 10 nationwide for college graduates with the highest average debt, according to the Institute for College Access and Success. A low-paying job is hard to justify when you owe back a lot of money, and the state's senators are nervous that loan payment will dissuade potential teachers from pursuing the field.