More than 2,100 teaching positions were vacant in Pennsylvania as of October, according to new data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
The state estimates that Pennsylvania schools will need to hire at least 15,000 teachers, and that the scope of the problem varies by region. Montgomery County has a “moderate” shortage, while Delaware County has a “severe” shortage and Philadelphia has a “severe” shortage.
Part of the problem lies in the teacher pipeline. The number of certified teachers produced each year in Pennsylvania's education programs decreased from 16,614 to 5,577 from 2022 to 2023, a 66% decrease, the report said. Attrition and unequal pay across districts and regions also contributed to supply problems.
The report calls on lawmakers to do more to increase the supply of new teachers, including new scholarship programs for student teachers. In February, state Sen. Vincent Hughes of Philadelphia introduced a student teacher scholarship program that would pay student teachers $10,000 to $15,000 if they agree to work in high-need districts. .
according to morning Call, The average salary for public school classroom teachers has increased 12.8% over the past decade, from $67,996 to $76,718, less than half the official U.S. inflation rate of 31.2% over the same period.
At the same time, the state-wide ratio of 14 students per teacher is down from 10 years ago, when it was 15.3 students per teacher, the report said. Most school districts are experiencing enrollment declines due to a combination of factors. As the state's population ages and there are fewer school-age children, enrollment in publicly funded career technical centers, charter schools, and cyber charter schools has increased since 2014. morning Call report.
For more information, see PSBA's State of Education report below.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local's 'Daily Buzz' newsletter here.