Arizona has a teacher problem, so why doesn't the government just admit it

Data shows that 52.2% of vacancies are filled by teachers who do not meet the state’s standard.

PUBLISHED OCT 19, 2024

Since 2016, approximately a quarter of teacher vacancies remained unfilled a month into each school year.

Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona’s teacher shortage is at critical levels, with new data highlighting a concerning trend in the state’s education system. A recent survey by the Arizona Personnel Administrators Association has revealed that the majority of teaching positions across Arizona remain either unfilled or are staffed by individuals who do not meet standard certification requirements.

Superintendent of Education Tom Horns, however, believes the issue is exaggerated.

One hundred and thirty-nine school districts and charter schools throughout Arizona responded to the survey, which focused on teacher vacancies, fill rates, and contracted teachers who have severed employment as of September for the 2024-25 school year. Information relating to certified nonteacher positions and support staff employees in hard-to-fill positions was also included in the survey.

The data indicates about 25.4% of teacher vacancies across the state this year remain unfilled, while 52.2% of the vacancies are filled by teachers who do not meet the state’s standard certification requirements.

Since 2016, approximately a quarter of teacher vacancies remained unfilled a month into each school year. Meanwhile, there has been a continued increase in teacher vacancies filled by individuals through various alternative pathways as they did not meet the standard teacher requirements.

Arizona Teacher’s Union President, Marisol Garcia, told Arizona's Family that she had concerns about these stopgap solutions, arguing that the state is prioritizing quantity over quality in the classroom.

"While we have more teachers, they're not necessarily improving our education system," Garcia said, pointing to Arizona's consistently low national ranking in education. "Our children deserve more than just a warm body in front of them," she added.

Superintendent of Education Tom Horns, however, believes the issue is exaggerated. He told Arizona's Family that only 4% of classrooms lack a qualified teacher, but agreed with Garcia on one crucial point: teachers in Arizona need better pay. "We need to increase the salaries of our teachers. That’s very important," Horne said.

Arizona has been facing a significant teacher shortage for several years, and this issue has intensified post-pandemic. Several factors contribute to the shortage, including low salaries, high turnover rates, large class sizes, and burnout.

Arizona has historically ranked among the lowest in teacher salaries nationwide. Despite some pay increases in recent years, many educators feel that salaries do not adequately reflect the demands of the profession, especially considering inflation and the rising cost of living.

Many teachers leave the profession within the first few years due to stress, insufficient support, and challenging work environments. The high turnover means schools are often left with vacancies that are difficult to fill, especially in rural areas.

There have been modest efforts to increase teacher pay, such as the 20x2020 plan, which aimed to give teachers a 20% raise by 2020. However, many feel this is still insufficient. The state has also expanded alternative certification pathways, allowing more individuals to become teachers even without traditional educational degrees. There are ongoing efforts to recruit teachers from other states and incentivize them to work in Arizona, especially in underserved communities.