Our public and private colleges and universities have their work cut out for them to graduate more students who want to teach elementary, middle and high school kids.

It’s a growing challenge as we face a severe shortage of teachers.

Since 2010, Pennsylvania has seen a 66% decline in Instructional I teaching certificates, the state’s most basic teaching accreditation awarded to graduates who pass their certification tests, issued to in-state graduates.

Data from the Department of Education also reflect a 58% decline in certificates issued to those planning to work out-of-state.

Not good.

Teachers in Pennsylvania today typically have four years of college plus certifications in elementary education, middle school education, secondary, English-language, science and the list goes on.

It is a rigorous process and a lot of study is required.

But hard work is a good thing.

And there is nothing wrong with requiring professional development credits during a teacher’s career.

Heck, most Pennsylvania districts help pay for added credits that lead to certifications.

But now — amid this shortage — two state lawmakers want to incentivize students to enter the profession to alleviate some financial burden for aspiring teachers and attract new talent in Pennsylvania, according to Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Marley Parish.

The stipend, for which lawmakers did not specify an amount, would help student-teachers during their unpaid — but required — work in the classroom and help connect school districts with potential talent, Hughes and Aument wrote in a memo seeking legislative support.

A good idea.

Colorado, Michigan, and Oklahoma have enacted similar state-administered programs, and some school districts in Nebraska have launched local-level programs to recruit new teachers.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, as part of his first proposed budget, has suggested a new tax credit, rewarding up to $2,500 a year for three years to new teachers — hoping it alleviates the increased burden on existing educators and attracts more people to commonwealth classrooms.

But spending more money to find teachers is not the whole solution.

Teachers need co-teachers: A team approach to a classroom filled with kids dealing with so many more unwanted influences these days.

Our colleges and universities need to reassess their curriculums — in concert with schools — to make teaching a more appealing valued profession.

Our young kids’ futures can weigh very heavily on influence by dedicated, insightful and sensible teachers.