Observations from the Field

• There is an overall shortage of qualified educators with significant shortages in special education, math, science, languages, and support professionals (PT's OT's Speech Therapists).
• Even in fields with historical surplus, such as elementary education and middle level education, there is a balance of candidates with available positions or even a slight shortage of candidates.
• Only social studies and physical education are in the "Some Surplus" category, but not in the "Considerable Surplus" category.

All education hiring is local, but the National Composite Score has increased to 3.55 and is closing in on the highest recorded score of 3.68 in 2001.

• College and school personnel agree on 63% of the certification areas
• Schools noted considerable shortage in 20 of 59 fields of study (8 areas by colleges)
• Enrollment in traditional degree seeking programs was more likely to have decreased
• One in ten teachers hired in the past year did nor have traditional training
• Colleges reported that 73% of graduates found full-time teaching jobs
• Decreases in funding were reported as a BIG Challenge by 49% of school respondents

The market is wide oped for candidates if they are willing to relocate. 

Why are teachers leaving?

• 25%: assessment and accountability
• 21%: lack of administrative support
• 14%: lack of autonomy
• 13%: pay

Pay and financial support are still issues. The gap between teacher pay and other comparable professionals has risen from 1.8% in 1994 to 18.7% in 2018. Lack of financial support may also lead to "Separate and Unequal Schools."