NewsBreak Original

Residents with a bachelor's degree are eligible for free certification in certain fields. Officials with Sumner County Schools have announced that area residents who possess a bachelor's degree could be eligible for a free master's degree and teacher certification. The program is offered as a way to address a growing shortage of qualified teacher candidates. It is a part of the State of Tennessee's "Grow Your Own" initiative, designed to allow local school districts flexibility in identifying and certifying teacher candidates.

Alabama, like most states, is struggling to keep teachers. The need is greater in lower-performing schools and school areas. Schools that are low-performing struggle more than the high-performing schools to attract and retain high-quality teachers, reported AL.com.