MUNCIE, Ind. -- As technology leads the world into the 21st century, teachers of technology -- once known as industrial arts -- are becoming harder to find.

Ball State University’s Department of Industry and Technology reports many teacher education graduates receive eight inquiries for every interview they accept.

The Ball State program, rated among the top five in the nation by outside evaluators, currently has 50 students and a demand for many more.

"If we doubled that number, all the graduates would still find jobs," said Ray Shackelford, professor of industry and technology, who coordinates the program.

Shackelford said the shortage of technology teachers is severe across the nation as well as in Indiana.

"If I had 10 teachers right now, I could find jobs for all of them by this afternoon," Shackelford said. "Right now there are four openings within 80 miles of Muncie."

No longer the traditional "shop" class, the subject area now emphasizes uses, impact and opportunities of technology. While many schools are expanding technology education, Shackelford said other schools are forced to eliminate their program simply because they cannot find a teacher.

"I get at least one call a week from a principal or superintendent looking for a technology teacher," Shackelford said. "And it’s not unusual for some of our people to be hired while they’re still student teaching."

Some states have no institutions preparing technology teachers and must rely on graduates from other states. Shackelford reports Ball State last year received requests for technology teachers from 15 different states.

To help relieve Indiana’s teacher shortage, Ball State will soon offer an endorsement that would allow elementary teachers to teach technology in middle schools. This would allow teachers with all-grade licenses to concentrate on the high schools.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information about this story or how to reach the source, contact Anthony Barker at 765-285-1560 or tbarker@wp.bsu.edu.)