Teacher vacancies increase since fall

Posted Date: 04/13/2022

Teacher vacancies in Kansas public schools have increased 10 percent since the fall, according to state officials. 

The number of vacancies increased from 1,253 to 1,381, according to a report by the Teacher Vacancy and Supply Committee. A vacancy is an unfilled position, or one filled by a person without the appropriate license. 

The top five vacancy areas and their increases since the fall are in special education (269 to 305); elementary (233 to 251); math (83 to 94) and science (80 to 86). Either no applicant or not fully qualified based on endorsement area were the top reasons given for vacancies. 

The Teacher Licensure team at the Kansas State Department of Education collects vacancy data each fall and spring from school districts. The data helps determine future needs and recommendations for licensing and recruitment and retention efforts. 

Recently, Emporia State University, Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas National Education Association, and United School Administrators of Kansas launched an initiative to support Kansas teacher recruitment and retention efforts. 

Dr. Bret Church and Dr. Luke Simmering released the Kansas Education Engagement and Retention Study that reported on survey findings of more than 22,000 Kansas educators. The report provides information on the motivators, perceptions, and driving factors for the recruitment and retention of teachers in Kansas. Here is a link to the report.