Dale Groutage on Education

Raise teacher pay and incentives for new teachers

Problem:
• Teachers go to other states to work because teachers' salaries in Wyoming have not kept pace with inflation and comparable jobs in other states.

Solution:
• Develop a federally funded program that will provide incentives for college students to go into the teaching profession, especially in the math and science areas, but also in the arts & social sciences.

Benefit:
• Increased number of K-12 and college teachers who can work and raise their families in Wyoming.

Federal incentives for teachers to stay in Wyoming

Problem:
• In the area of K-12, Wyoming-educated teachers go to other states to work because teachers' salaries in Wyoming have not kept pace with inflation and comparable jobs in other states.

Solution:
• Develop a federally funded program that will provide incentives for college students to go into the teaching profession, especially in the math and science areas, but also in the arts and social sciences.

Increase federal funding for Wyoming's state colleges

Problem:
• The University of Wyoming and other higher institutions are not getting their fair share of federal funding.
• University of Wyoming in recent years has been ranked below Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands in terms of federal funding for higher education.

Solution:
• Provide the Univ. of Wyoming a level of federal funding for higher education that will lead the way for energy research and technology programs to make Wyoming the nation's leading energy provider.