Teachers feel undervalued and overwhelmed.
Many are leaving the field.
A number of states are using
unqualified people to fill positions.
problems & solutions
18% of public school teachers were very satisfied with their job, half of them say that student mental health is having a negative impact on learning and classroom management.
70% of public school teachers recommend that at least one of their students needed intervention or services.
41% say their schools need more counselors, psychologists, and social workers. MERRIMACK COLLEGE TEACHER SURVEY
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This CASA Guardian ad Litem has understanding and empathy for teachers who had my troubled children in their classrooms. A number of these teachers were assaulted, some suffering serious harm.
States with the Worst Teacher Shortages
- Arizona:
- Arizona has one of the highest teacher-student ratios in the country. It has faced persistent shortages for several years, with over 25% of teacher vacancies remaining unfilled and 44% filled by teachers who do not meet state certification requirement
- Utah:
- Utah also struggles with a high teacher-student ratio. Elementary education is particularly affected.
- California:
- California reported more than 10,000 teacher vacancies during the 2021-22 school year. The state has a significant shortage in elementary education, language arts, math, science, and special education.
- Nevada:
- Nevada has the lowest teacher-to-student ratio in the country, with significant shortages across various subject areas including art and music, computer science, early childhood, and special education.
- Florida:
- Florida is dealing with one of the worst teacher shortages, with over 5,000 vacancies. The state faces challenges in areas like English as a second language, language arts, math, science, and special education.
- Alaska:
- Alaska reported 1,100 openings among its 7,400 teachers, indicating a shortage of 29%. The state is particularly short on special education teachers.
- Oregon:
- Oregon has shortages in English as a second language, math, science, special education, and world languages.
- Alabama:
- Alabama faces shortages in language arts, math, science, and special education.
- Idaho:
- Idaho has shortages in arts and music education, career and technical education, elementary education, health and physical fitness, math, science, special education, and support staff.
- Louisiana:
- Louisiana needs over 2,520 teachers and has a high rate of uncertified teachers. The state struggles particularly in English as a second language, math, science, special education, and world languages.
Contributing Factors
Several factors contribute to these shortages, including:
- Low Pay: Many states offer salaries that do not keep up with the cost of living, making it difficult to attract and retain teachers.
- Missouri: $36,829
- Nebraska: $37,797
- Arkansas: $37,907
- Colorado: $39,044
- High Burnout Rates: Teachers face significant workloads and emotional stress, leading to high burnout rates.
- Lack of Support: Insufficient administrative support and resources exacerbate the problem.
- Political and Social Issues: In some states, political interference and social challenges further discourage individuals from entering or staying in the teaching profession.
Implications
The teacher shortages have far-reaching implications for the quality of education, particularly in underserved areas and specialized subjects. Addressing these shortages requires comprehensive strategies, including improving teacher pay, providing better support and resources, and creating incentives to attract and retain qualified educators. By understanding the specific challenges faced by each state, policymakers and education leaders can develop targeted solutions to mitigate the impact of teacher shortages and ensure a stable and effective education system.
States Using Unqualified Teachers
- Arizona: The state has allowed substitute teachers to take full-time positions and permits teacher candidates working toward a college degree to teach simultaneously.
- Florida: Florida has a high number of vacancies and has hired many teachers without full certification. It reported 16,585 underqualified hires.
- Texas: Approximately one in three educators hired in Texas last year lacked state certification.
- Mississippi: Mississippi has a high vacancy rate and has employed many teachers on emergency or provisional certifications.
- Tennessee: Tennessee had over 3,000 positions filled by unqualified teachers at the start of the 2022–2023 school year.
- Utah: Utah has a high turnover rate and employs many teachers who are not fully prepared.
- South Carolina: The state has experienced a decline in qualified teachers and has issued emergency certificates to fill positions.
- Vermont: Vermont issues provisional, emergency, and apprenticeship licenses to teachers who have yet to meet all licensure requirements.
- Oregon: The state has significant shortages and employs teachers with emergency certifications.
- Rhode Island: Emergency certificates have risen significantly in recent years to address shortages.
National Overview
- 47 States and the District of Columbia: An estimated 286,290 teachers were not fully certified for their teaching assignments across these states.
- 21 States with Published Data: These states had 27,844 unfilled teacher positions, indicating that at least 314,134 positions were either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for their assignments.
Implications
The widespread use of unqualified teachers has significant implications for the quality of education. Students may not receive the highest level of instruction, and the overall effectiveness of the education system is compromised. Addressing these shortages requires comprehensive strategies, including improving teacher pay, providing better support and resources, and creating incentives to attract and retain qualified educators. By understanding challenges faced by each state, policymakers and education leaders can develop targeted solutions to mitigate the impact of teacher shortages and ensure a stable and effective education system.
Attracting and Retaining Teachers:
Incentives for Attracting and Retaining Teachers
1. Performance-Based Pay
Performance-based pay has been shown to be effective in attracting and retaining teachers, particularly in hard-to-staff schools. For instance, the Dallas Independent School District’s Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) program provided signing bonuses and annual stipends based on performance evaluations. This approach led to significant improvements in student achievement and reduced teacher turnover when stipends were in place.
2. Comprehensive Induction Programs
Induction programs that include mentoring, coaching, and feedback from experienced teachers are crucial for new teacher retention. These programs help new educators acclimate to the profession and improve their teaching skills, leading to higher retention rates. Teachers who receive robust support are more than twice as likely to stay in the profession compared to those who do not.
3. Strategic Pay Increases
Strategic pay increases targeted at hard-to-staff subjects and schools can effectively address shortages. For example, differentiated pay for teachers in special education or high-poverty schools can make these positions more attractive. Research suggests that additional pay equivalent to 7.5% of base salary (around $5,000 per year) can significantly improve retention in these areas.
4. Professional Development and Growth Opportunities
Providing opportunities for professional growth and development is essential for retaining teachers. Provide continuous and relevant professional development, opportunities for career advancement, and pathways to leadership roles. Schools that invest in their teachers’ professional growth tend to have higher retention rates.
5. Positive School Culture and Supportive Work Environment
A positive school culture where teachers feel valued and supported is critical for retention. This includes:
- Teacher Wellness Programs: Supporting mental health through wellness programs, mental health days, and physical activity breaks can help prevent burnout.
- Collaborative Environment: Encouraging professional collaboration and shared decision-making fosters a sense of community and purpose among teachers.
- Recognition and Rewards: Regularly recognizing and rewarding teachers’ hard work and achievements can boost morale and job satisfaction.
6. Financial Incentives and Benefits
Financial incentives such as signing bonuses, housing subsidies, and tuition reimbursement can make teaching positions more attractive. Offer retention bonuses for teachers who stay in high-need schools.
362 Nationwide School Counselors interviewed by the NY Times
described how COVID HAS AND CONTINUES impacting children’s mental health
and hammering education and child well-being.
COVID YEAR STATISTICS: Over 70% of students are breaking classroom rules, and over 89% are having trouble focusing on classwork. The majority of students are skipping class and having trouble with time management and collaborating on schoolwork.
94% have signs of anxiety or depression,
88% are struggling with emotional expression,
67% have low self-esteem, and over half of them have trouble with friends, harassing peers online, and physically fighting.
85% are chronically absent from school, MANY are vandalizing school property, 38% bring drugs or alcohol to school & 3% bring guns to school – 11% bring other weapons to school.
Tips for Helping Students Recover From Pandemic Stress Below in the READ MORE:
Change won’t come without more informed Legislators.
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It makes a difference.
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INVISIBLECHILDREN – KARA (KIDS AT RISK ACTION
“What we do to our children, they will do to our society”
(Pliny the Elder, 2000 years ago)
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- Establish Routines: Setting a consistent morning and night routine can provide a sense of control and stability, which is crucial for mental health during uncertain times.
- Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage regular exercise, healthy eating, and minimizing the consumption of alcohol and tobacco. These habits can significantly improve mental health and reduce stress.
- Facilitate Social Interactions: Reintroducing group activities and extracurriculars can help students regain social skills and a sense of normalcy. These activities also provide opportunities for collaboration and conflict resolution.
- Provide Emotional Support: Schools should consider hiring more staff, such as counselors and social workers, to address students’ social and emotional needs. Creating wellness rooms or reset areas where students can take a break when overwhelmed is also beneficial.
- Focus on Psychological Well-being: Emphasize the importance of psychological skills and emotional health. Encourage open conversations about emotions and provide resources for students to learn about well-being.
- Adapt Academic Expectations: Consider setting later start times and minimizing homework to alleviate stress. Acknowledging students’ emotions and creating a supportive school culture can also help.
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