The teacher shortage in the United States is a growing problem with no easy solutions. From online teaching and four-day school weeks to lowering standards and increasing class sizes, school districts are resorting to extreme measures to cope with the shortage. Unfortunately, these coping strategies reduce teachers’ effectiveness and threaten students’ ability to learn, and are indicative of the severity of the teacher shortage. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
