This issue needs immediate attention if we want to ensure our children receive a quality public education. The K-16 Alliance's Special Task Force on Teacher Shortages issued its report last week offering five potential solutions that deserve careful consideration.

Utah's teacher shortage may be attributed to a flat college student population over the next 10 years and a slightly declining number who go into education. At the same time, K-12 student enrollments are increasing dramatically, the teaching force is aging and there is a high turnover rate among new teachers.

The recommendations, if implemented, would require action from a variety of state policymakers as well as officials at the public school and higher education levels.

One recommendation would maximize the use of existing K-12 teachers and capital facilities by expanding the length of the instructional day and the number of days in the K-12 school year.

Most Utah teacher contracts are typically in the 180- to 190-day range. Many teachers are required to take jobs for less pay during their non-contract days. With 12-month schedules, overall compensation would be competitive with other professions.

The task force also called for increasing the number of college scholarships and loans for education students, enhancing capacity of colleges of education, providing greater flexibility in teacher licensing and hiring, and maintaining competitive salaries.

Some will likely demand further analysis, research and perhaps some pilot programming.

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* DAVID J. SPERRY is former dean of the University of Utah College of Education. He was chairman of the task force.