A 1986 study by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) indicates that the twelve western states studied will face an annual teacher shortage of 8,000 teachers by the year 1995. Figure 1 indicates that Idaho is projected to face a serious shortage, defined as 36-60% by the year 1990. The figure also shows that Idaho's predicted shortage is among the most severe in the west, with only Alaska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming having more critical shortages at least in percentage terms. A 1984 Rand Corporation Study estimates the national teacher shortage will be more severe in certain areas such as math, science, and English.