The Science Shortfall: An analysis of the shortage of suitably qualified science teachers in Australian schools and the policy implications for universities.

Declining enrolment in the physical sciences at university is causing concern among higher education institutions, governments and industry. In response, renewed attention is being paid to the tertiary science background of school teachers, given their key role in both preparing and enthusing students for tertiary science study. A recent study, Who's teaching science?, has provided the first national picture of both the supply and tertiary qualifications of Australia's secondary school science teachers. While there is no shortage of teachers with strong grounding in the life sciences, schools are struggling to adequately staff senior science classes in Physics and Chemistry. This is a growing problem: large numbers of science teachers are set to retire, and many younger and early career teachers are expressing dissatisfaction with their careers. This paper highlights the findings most relevant for the university sector, and examines the policy implications, including those for the curriculum design of both science and teacher education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]