New Report Highlights the States with Highest Rates of Teacher Shortages
- Nevada, Utah, and California are the states with the most severe teacher shortages, while Vermont has the least.
- New report highlights states with critical levels of teacher shortages, with an estimated 200,000 public school teachers in demand by the 2025-26 school year.
Nevada and Utah have the highest levels of teacher shortages in the U.S., while Vermont has the best teacher-to-student ratio[BS1] [AB2] .
ProCare Therapy, a leading school therapy and teacher staffing agency, conducted an analysis of the ongoing teacher shortage crisis to raise awareness of the impact teachers have on the quality of education students receive. ProCare Therapy’s report, which utilizes internal data and information from official federal public data sources, highlights the states with the most critical shortages:[EG3]
- Nevada – ratio 1 teacher per 25 students
Nevada has been revealed to be the worst in the nation with a shortage of core subject elementary teachers and special education teachers, including math and language arts teachers in every grade level (K-12).
- Utah – ratio 1 teacher per 22 students
In Utah, turnover for new teachers is higher than the national average, with roughly 46% of educators leaving the profession within the first five years, according to a Utah Legislative Auditor General’s Office report.
- California – ratio 1 teacher per 21 students
California is a teacher shortage area for elementary education teachers, language arts teachers (grades 5-12), social studies teachers (grades 5-12) and physical education teachers (grades K-12).
Top 10 Teacher Shortage States
| State[BS4] | Enrolled Students per One Employed Teacher |
| Nevada | 24.56 |
| Utah | 21.88 |
| California | 21.36 |
| Michigan | 21.20 |
| Arizona | 21.10 |
| Idaho | 20.55 |
| Florida | 19.87 |
| Washington | 19.41 |
| Oregon | 19.40 |
| Alaska | 19.08 |
Vermont has the best teacher-to-student ratio in the nation at just 10 students per teacher. However, Vermont still reports a statewide shortage of support staff, health science teachers, physical education teachers, and Spanish teachers.
Demand for teachers is expected to grow nationwide, and The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) projects a deficit of roughly 200,000 public school teachers by the 2025-26 school year. To alleviate the issue, districts nationwide are adopting various solutions such as recruitment initiatives, retention strategies, higher teacher salaries, student loan forgiveness, and placing substitutes, paraprofessionals, and traveling educators in roles.
Stephanie Morris, Senior Vice President of ProCare Therapy, commented:
“ProCare Therapy’s mission is to provide the best possible support for schools and their students,” said Stephanie Morris. “The teacher shortage crisis has far-reaching consequences, including larger class sizes, decreased student performance and increased teacher workload. We are dedicated to raising awareness about the teacher shortage crisis and advocating for solutions that will benefit educators and ensure a brighter future for students.”
ProCare Therapy aims to help schools bridge the gap caused by teacher shortages with traveling, temporary and permanent placements to teletherapy and special education support. For more information about ProCare Therapy and efforts to combat the teacher shortage crisis, please visit www.procaretherapy.com.
###
About ProCare Therapy
A true partner in education, ProCare Therapy is one of the country’s top sources of school-based therapy and teachers. We are solely dedicated to making a difference in the life of each child, every day, with every school session. Whether you’re a school in need of therapists or a clinician looking for a company that values your gifts, ProCare Therapy is your source. www.procaretherapy.com.
Note to Editors
Utilizing internal data and information from official federal public data sources, the report compares the number of teachers employed and the number of students enrolled in public schools across all states.
External sources:
- U.S. Census Bureau 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates Subject Tables
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- The U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Teacher Shortage Areas (TSA) Application
- A Performance Audit of Teacher Retention Within Utah’s Public Education System, retrieved from the Office of the Utah Legislative Auditor General
- Teacher Supply in California, 2020-21 report from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
Is there a standard? What is the acceptable ratio to have? [BS1]
Can we say a % of states are in crisis?
There is no law or standard – some states have laws (like TX is max 22 students for grades 6-12 but they operate differently than other states) but many do not have laws. Right now it’s just states will take whatever they can get. [AB2]
[EG3]Can we condense this down to one paragraph?
Not sure we need the full table? Maybe just the 10 worst states? [BS4]
********************************************************************
2023-24 Area Conference Schedules: Conference and Team Links
Know some top athletic performances? Seeing some great teams in action?
We can use your help, and it’s simple. Witness some great performances? Hear about top athletes and top teams in our area?
Athlete of the Week and Team of the Week:
Nominate an athlete or team: HERE
**********************************************
Pancakes or Waffles! We feature top area athletes with our world-renowned feature. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
College Athlete Roundup! We want to recognize student-athletes from the area who are competing at the college level. Send us information on college athletes from the area with our simple form HERE
Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE
Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
