Earlier this week, we reported on a recent study funded by the Walton Family Foundation that found there is a disparity of uncertified teachers in Arkansas.

• In summary: Missing Out: Arkansas' Teacher Shortage and How to Fix it reported that 4% of teachers in Arkansas are uncertified, which is more than double the national average of 1.7%. In Benton and Washington County alone, the average is between 0-2%.

• There were three causes identified: The report points to three causes for the certified teacher shortages.
• 1) The lack of area adults having the bachelor's degrees that lead to certification.
• 2) The inadequacy of incentive programs, with which many prospective teachers are unfamiliar.
• 3) Teacher compensation - Arkansas has the fourth lowest average teacher salary in the 16-state region, according to the Southern Regional Education Board. -Talk Business & Politics

• In response, a team of U of A educators will use a $1.45 million grant from the National Science Foundation to boost secondary math and science teachers and prepare them to teach in high-need school districts. -KUAF

You can listen to the full report featuring the U of A HERE