The Arizona Department of Education recently released a report on the state’s teacher shortage — showing thousands of positions remain unfilled.
And thousands more are being filled through alternative methods, such as long-term substitutes, contract workers and student teachers.
"We’ve lost 1,000 teachers since July. We have over 2,000 classes being taught by permanent substitutes, who are not properly trained to teach the kids, so the kids are getting cheated," state Superintendent Tom Horne said.
Horne said the state must increase teachers’ salaries.
He also said student behavior is contributing to the problem, and teachers must be given more non-violent disciplinary options to help rein in out-of-control classrooms.
More Arizona education news
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At a time when many Arizona school districts are closing schools due to low enrollment, the Tempe Union High School District is seeing a slight uptick in students. -
An administrator at Saguaro High School resigned this week after facing accusations that he inappropriately messaged a student at a Scottsdale middle school on social media. -
Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., community members will see an increase in emergency personnel including police units, fire trucks and ambulances on ASU’s Tempe campus. -
The Scottsdale Unified School District will close and repurpose two schools due to declining enrollment. Community members and some governing board members say the decision-making process was flawed.
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A state audit questions the value and legality of the Western Maricopa Education Center’s sponsorship with the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale.
