School Staff Shortages
Guidance, policy updates and actionable resources for schools & districts experiencing school staff shortages.
Background
As millions of students return to classrooms for the 2022-23 school year, much thought and attention has been given to the educator shortage. The COVID pandemic did not create the educator and education staff shortage. Our nation’s schools had been dealing with an increasingly intense teacher shortage prior to the 2019-20 school year. AASA is focused on identifying where school staffing shortages have been hitting districts the most and advocating for sustainable solutions.
In September of 2022, AASA conducted a survey with superintendents to understand the nature of school staffing shortages our members were facing. AASA’s educator shortage survey reflects real-time nationwide feedback from those doing the hiring and aimed to look at the vacancy rates of both instructional and non-instructional positions. In addition, the survey provides context of these reported vacancy rates compared to the previous school year.
AASA sought to find out:
- What percentage of your district’s instructional positions for the 2022-23 school year remain unfilled?
- What percentage of your district’s non-instructional positions for the 2022-23 school year remain unfilled?
- How would you describe the total share of vacancies (overall) for 2022-23 to the start of the 2021-22 school year?
- What are the factors contributing to your district’s 2022-23 educator shortages?
AASA's Position & Priorities
AASA is committed to advocating for the following:
- Federal education policy must address the educator shortage and acknowledge that schools need a pipeline of high-quality educators to operate, function and provide equitable education to students including support for existing and innovative instructional models.
- Federal efforts to support local education agencies with their teacher and staffing needs must include establishing a commission to address the long-standing teacher shortage exacerbated by the pandemic.
- Support the preservation and expansion of resources for future and current teachers to address the teacher shortage issue.
- The federal government must take action to address the specific shortages of bus drivers and other pupil transportation service providers. Such policies could include: Delay of Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT rule); allowing for third party administration of the skills and knowledge tests; creating an entry level CDL in school transportation; and a one-year exemption to social security earning limitation.
We’ve said many times that public education is the cornerstone of this country. We need to save it. We need to transform it. The responsibility is huge, but the reward is immense... America is crying out to throw its support behind those who are charged with leading the classrooms in which our children are learning more than ever before.
David R. Schuler, AASA executive director
Issue Updates
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October 25, 2023
AASA Signs Letter Urging Department of Labor to Withdraw Overtime RulemakingEarlier this week, AASA jointed 87 organizations representing private, public, nonprofit, and educational entities sent letters to House and Senate lawmakers.
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July 25, 2023
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program FAQThis month, improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program went into effect.
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December 13, 2022
Dept of Ed Introduces Spring 2023 Teach to Lead SummitU.S. Department of Education’s Spring 2023 Teach to Lead Summit, titled “Raising the Bar: In Pursuit of Equitable Opportunities Through Expanded Student Experiences and the Diversifying of the Educator Pipeline,” is an in-person convening March 10-12 in Atlanta, a collaboration effort called Teach to Lead.
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September 16, 2022
Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2022On Friday, September 16, Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) and Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) and Jahana Hayes (D-CT) introduced the AASA-endorsed Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act.
AASA Resources
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March 01, 2024
Embracing the Four-Day School WeekType:Article Topics: District & School OperationsWhile gaining in popularity to address sagging teacher recruitment and retention, what’s the real impact of a shortened week on students and their learning? -
November 02, 2023
School Staff Shortages with Laura ToenjesType:Podcast Topics: District & School OperationsAASA president Gladys Cruz talks with superintendent Laura Toenjes about creative strategies for addressing school staff shortages. -
November 01, 2023
Recruiting Immigrants to Sustain Teacher SupplyType:Article Topics:Overseas work experience and credentials are undervalued when it comes to the teaching profession. Could a modified view address staffing shortages? -
August 01, 2023
Engaging Reluctant Staff in New InitiativesType:Article Topics:Practical solutions for getting buy-in when putting in place strategies or moving in different directions.
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