“Schools continue to face specific and persistent teacher shortages in certain subjects, such as upper-level math and special education, and in certain schools, including historically under-resourced schools and rural schools,” explains the Education Commission of the States in a July 7 report, “50-State Comparison: Teacher Recruitment and Retention” .

“These shortages are more likely to impact schools that serve students in rural and urban areas, linguistically diverse students, students identified for special education and students of color. Shortages contribute to students being taught by inexperienced or out-of-field teachers, and they can be financially costly for schools and districts. Declining participation in teacher preparation programs, coupled with high turnover in the profession, suggests that a comprehensive approach that accounts for each stage of the teacher pipeline is necessary to recruit and retain effective teachers.”

The report provides fifty state comparisons that show variable approaches. Policies include financial incentives, which the states are using to help bring more teachers into the system – and keep them there. 

Here are a handful of examples:  

• States have created programs and incentives to recruit high school students as well as paraprofessionals into the teaching profession. For instance, 35 states and D.C., provide pathways to high school students; 31 and D.C., do so for paraprofessionals. 

• Teacher apprenticeships have been created in 30 states and D.C.

• Financial incentives are offered to teachers in 32 states “who commit to teach in underserved schools or geographic areas of need”. In 38 states and D.C, financial incentives are offered for teaching a “shortage subject area or specific student populations".

• 19 states require or encourage “additional pay for teachers who work in underserved schools and/or shortage subject areas.”

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