New Research Shows Teacher Shortage Growing Amid Pandemic
June 23 2020 - 7:05AM
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. schools were able to fill just
54 percent of the approximately 250,000 teacher absences each day.
As many schools reopen in the fall, they will face a growing number
of teacher absences due to the pandemic, exacerbating the teacher
shortage. Twelve percent of teachers say the pandemic may lead them
to leave the profession even though they were not planning to do so
before the crisis.
As district leaders look to fill classrooms, substitute teachers
can bridge the gap, but key changes are needed to help recruit and
retain substitutes as the demand for them increases in the era of
school re-openings, according to a report from the EdWeek Research
Center commissioned by Kelly Education.
“Prior to the pandemic, schools across the country were already
facing the challenges associated with a teacher shortage,” said
Nicola Soares, president of Kelly Education. “As COVID-19 causes
teachers with health challenges to retire early and use more
personal time, absences no doubt will increase, and substitute
teaching will become an essential service to ensure students’
continued learning. It’s important that we champion substitute
teacher services and recognize their important work.”
The new report analyzed trends based on a survey of more than
2,000 principals, district leaders and school board members.
Fifty-six percent of respondents said their teacher absence rates
are higher today than they were five years ago. While
administrators cannot change the impact of a global pandemic, they
can address other reasons for absences such as declining teacher
morale, greater need for flexibility for work/life balance, and
more professional development scheduled during school hours.
"These insights from the EdWeek Research Center are valuable
because they represent the honest perspective of hundreds of K-12
administrators and school board members who are on the front lines
of hiring, scheduling, and allocating substitute teachers for our
nation's public schools," said Michele Givens, president and CEO of
Education Week.
At the same time, 71 percent of administrators and school board
members predict that the demand for substitute teachers will
increase in the next five years. While the economic downturn may
temporarily make substitute teaching more attractive as unemployed
Americans seek work, the situation is likely to change when the
economy recovers. Changes are needed to help ensure a pipeline of
substitute teacher talent. According to the report, potential
solutions to increase the supply of substitute teachers
include:
- Raising substitute teacher pay – Survey
respondents said they would need to offer at least 26 percent more
to begin to make a difference, which will be challenging given
budget realities.
- Providing professional development
opportunities that improve instructional ability and
support classroom management skills to avoid burnout and stress
resulting from difficulties with student behavior.
- Implementing basic recruitment and retention
tactics, from formally advertising the need for substitute teachers
to offering incentives that encourage retention.
- Investing in alternative credentialing
programs that prepare districts’ students, parents,
paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers for teaching
positions.
“It takes a village to educate students, especially during a
time of crisis,” said Soares. “Investing in the growth and
retention of substitute teachers can help us fuel a strong comeback
and deliver the high-quality education our students deserve.”
For more information and to access the full report – The
Substitute Teacher Gap: Recruitment and Retention Challenges in the
Age of COVID-19 – visit edweek.org.
About Kelly EducationKelly
Education is moving education forward. As a specialty service of
Kelly®, a global talent company that’s always asking what’s next in
the world of work, we’re passionate about connecting talent to
opportunity at every level from pre-K to higher education. Each
year, more than four million classrooms across 40+ states are
filled by a Kelly Education teacher or professor. Visit
www.kellyeducation.com for more information.
Media ContactAnna SchryverKelly
Education608.225.5476anna.schryver@kellyservices.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f6145529-f814-41d1-af53-229ac10032c3
Kelly Services (NASDAQ:KELYB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Kelly Services (NASDAQ:KELYB)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024