top of page

Let’s Look at the Numbers: How Teacher Shortages Hurt Students

  • Jul 15
  • 4 min read

The True Impact of Teacher Shortages on Students: More Than Just a Number


We often see statistics about teacher shortages and high turnover rates. Still, most people have grown accustomed to the data without fully understanding what these numbers really mean or how they relate to you and me.


Let’s examine this. In Arizona, there are conservatively over 2,000 reported vacancies, but what does that truly signify? Here’s how.


ree

As a former STEM instructor, Mark taught over 120 high school students from freshmen to seniors. His subject includes science credits, but what makes STEM a vital course is that it prepares students for college and the workforce through project-based learning. Some of the senior students went on to major in computer science after Mark left, while over one hundred students did not receive the same learning opportunities when a long-term substitute took over after his departure.


As a certified K-3 special education resource teacher in one of the public schools, Ann has served 36 IEP cases, helping students transition to third grade to succeed on state tests. After she left, most of the kids were served by long-term substitute teachers and did not receive proper IEP services.


There are over 150 kids with just two teachers; now imagine 2,260 vacancies statewide. Now you do the math. This could be your friend’s children, your niece or nephew, or your grandchildren. More importantly, this could be someone’s children who are paying taxes, unaware that they are not receiving the same learning opportunities as their peers.


Beyond the Headlines: What Teacher Shortages Mean for Students


1. Loss of Learning and Academic Setbacks

Across the U.S., more than 50,000 teacher vacancies were reported in the 2022-23 academic year, with tens of thousands of classrooms being covered by underqualified or substitute staff (Garcia & Weiss, 2022). In Texas alone, over 13,000 teacher vacancies were reported in the fall of 2023 (Texas Education Agency, 2023). As of January 2024, Florida had more than 4,400 unfilled teaching positions—the highest number in state history (Florida Education Association, 2024).


What does this mean for students? Research is clear: when students lack access to fully certified and experienced teachers, learning suffers. Students in classes with uncertified or long-term substitute teachers consistently underperform on standardized tests. They are less likely to meet grade-level benchmarks, particularly in critical subjects such as math, science, and reading (Learning Policy Institute, 2022).


2. Larger Class Sizes and Less Individual Attention

When schools cannot find enough teachers, they often combine classes or increase class sizes. In Texas, some elementary school classes have ballooned to over 35 students—far above the recommended 22-to-1 ratio. Teachers have less time to provide individualized instruction or identify struggling students early, leading to more children falling through the cracks (Texas Tribune, 2022).


3. Special Needs Students Face Greater Risks

Ann’s story is all too common. The federal government requires that students with disabilities receive specially designed instruction as outlined in their Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). But when schools rely on substitutes, many special education students don’t get the tailored support and services they’re legally entitled to. According to the Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association, more than 30% of special education teaching positions were vacant or filled by someone without proper certification in 2023 (ASPAA, 2023).


4. Increased Teacher Burnout—and More Turnover

Teacher shortages create a vicious cycle. With fewer staff members, the remaining teachers are stretched thinner, taking on extra students, skipping planning periods, and covering for absent colleagues. Not only does this reduce the quality of instruction, but it also leads to burnout. In Florida, nearly 5,000 teachers left the profession in the first half of the 2023-24 school year alone, citing unsustainable workloads and lack of support (Florida Education Association, 2024).


5. Equity Gaps Widen

It’s not just about missing adults in the classroom. Teacher shortages hit hardest in schools that serve low-income communities, English language learners, and students of color. In Texas and Florida, schools in rural or high-poverty areas are two to three times more likely to have unfilled positions or underqualified teachers compared to wealthier districts (Garcia & Weiss, 2022; FEA, 2024). This means the students who need the most help are the least likely to get it.


Real Students, Real Consequences


Let’s put this in perspective. If a single STEM teacher or special education resource teacher leaves, over 100 students immediately lose access to high-quality learning. Multiply that by the thousands of vacancies across various states, such as Texas, Florida, and Arizona, and the impact is staggering.


Imagine your child missing out on key science labs, falling behind in reading, or not getting IEP support simply because there weren’t enough qualified adults to serve them. This is the daily reality for students in states facing the deepest shortages.


What Can We Do?


For Parents: Ask your school or district about the qualifications of your child’s teachers. Advocate for efforts to recruit and retain experienced educators.


For School Leaders: Make hiring and supporting qualified teachers your top priority. Consider creative solutions, such as partnering with organizations that recruit international educators or growing your own pipeline of future teachers.


For Policy Makers: Invest in teacher preparation, provide competitive salaries, and reduce barriers for qualified candidates to enter the profession.


Conclusion


Thousands of students across the country are not reaching their potential, and it's not their fault. The numbers are more than statistics—they’re children missing opportunities, parents left in the dark, and communities falling behind.

As parents, guardians, and education leaders, let’s make sure every classroom has a qualified teacher. Our kids deserve nothing less.


Sources



 
 
bottom of page