BALTIMORE -- A new state report outlines about two-dozen recommendations on how schools can address the teacher shortage.

Tim Tooten Reports

The task force report is recommending a stronger relationship between colleges and public schools. It also sheds light on three main concerns for teachers: money, mentors and a safe place to work.

Maryland's colleges are on a mission to train future teachers and try and keep them in the state after graduation. The state Board of Regents' education policy committee is throwing its support behind the report that revealed much of what members already knew -- that there are no easy answers.

"Things aren't looking bright. Citizens are going to have to put pressure on the state and federal government to make sure we have money and people to mentor these new teachers," said board member Dr. Frank Reid.

The state said it is counting on colleges and universities to find ways to connect college students with teachers already on the job in public schools through mentoring and other site-based learning programs.

"We want not only to train and prepare teachers but to help retrain teachers in the community, and we want to bring them on our campus and retrain them as needed," said Coppin State University President Dr. Reginald Avery.

"No matter what we do to really fire these teachers up, they still have to find a happy home out in the state of Maryland. So, it's got to be a tight partnership between the school boards, the Department of Education and higher education," said Salisbury University Provost Dr. Tom Jones.

The report calls for everything from scholarship programs to bending the rules to try to reach professionals outside of the classroom.

"When you've got career changers, particularly in this area who want to get into teaching, you can't say to them, 'OK, come and study for four years.' You can't do that," said Regents board member Dr. Patricia Florestano.

Even though the Board of Regents has signed off on the recommendations, its members said they realize the more critical battle may be getting money to fund the proposals.

The teacher shortage report will head to the state Board of Education, which will also take up some of the recommendations.