While the burst of the internet bubble may have ravaged 401(k)'s around the nation, it may ultimately prove helpful to the public schools' teaching supply--at least in some places. According to a Boston Globe article, Massachusetts is receiving an influx of refugees from its technology industry, an especially lucky development since these highly educated, talented professionals can help fill hard-to-staff areas in math and science. The number of applicants for the state-qualifying exam has grown at a dramatic pace. Last February, there were 55 prospective physics teachers seeking certification, compared to only 14 in September 2001. As for middle school math teachers, their ranks also quadrupled but in half the time. They went from 96 in the September 2002 examination to 353 for the February 2003 test.

Unfortunately, this spike in applications also coincides with cuts in state aid to localities and tighter hiring budgets.