1 in 4 Arizona Teaching Positions Are Still Unfilled As Teacher Shortage Continues

[TexasTowelie]

One in four teaching positions in Arizona remain unfilled as a yearslong teacher shortage continues throughout the state.

The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association (ASPAA) released a survey last week that found 25.9% of vacant teacher positions in Arizona remain unfilled, while more than half of the vacancies are filled by teachers who don’t meet certification requirements.

That’s fewer vacancies than last year, but more than in 2019, when 21% of teacher positions were vacant.

The ASPAA has surveyed school districts and charter schools for six consecutive years to assess vacant teacher positions throughout the state. This year’s report surveyed 145 Arizona school districts and charter schools.

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Read more: https://coppercourier.com/story/arizona-teacher-shortage-continues-public-charter/

[Susan Calvin]

1. I was about to say I don't find it surprising, but

One-in-four is is a huge number.

I am torn between saying well maybe they'll treat teachers better now, and that this is the last nail in the coffin re the right wing strategy to kill public schools.

Things just suck. I realize I'm saying this from the perspective of the top 1% in the history of the world. But even having said that, we had a good thing going mid-century, and I'm afraid we've blown it.

[GPV]

2. No, I don't think this will improve things. My colleagues were grateful that I spent all week

running from class to class filling in because we only have a couple of subs on our list, but the general public neither knows nor cares.