Many political and public decision makers are missing a key point in the teacher shortage issue.  Yes, as the student-age population continues to rise, the supply of teachers continues to decline.  We don't need another "group of public and higher education leaders [to look] at how to increase the number of teachers."  It is simple: increase teacher pay.   It is simple labor supply and demand economics.  Increase the salary, and supply will increase. 

As Dean Thompson eluded to, the bottom line is that not many want to be a teacher in the state because it is near impossible to raise a family on a teacher's starting salary in the state of Utah.  I love interacting with students, and when I started my university education I wanted to teach.  I thought about teaching high school for about 10 seconds.  However, it just didn't seem economically feasible, so I abandoned that idea and switched to business--for no other reason than the pay.  I suspect that there are many others who have gone through the same process--who may prefer to teach but economic reality forces them to do something that will provide for their family instead.

It is time for state leaders to finally accept that teachers need to be paid more.  It is the only real way to increase the number and quality of teachers who will be teaching the rising generation.  Heaven help us if we fail in this most fundamental responsibility.