SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois schools are grappling with a persistent and critical teacher shortage that continues to affect student-teacher ratios and overall educational quality. According to a recent survey by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools (IARSS), nearly 87% of school districts report experiencing a “minor, serious, or very serious” shortage of educators.
The shortage, though not uniform across the state, remains a major challenge, with many districts resorting to short-term measures such as hiring retired teachers, using substitutes, and outsourcing teaching positions. About 3,864 teaching positions remain unfilled in Illinois schools, a vacancy rate of 2.8%, a slight improvement over last year.
In addition to the shortage of teachers, 91% of schools report difficulty hiring substitute teachers, and 65% say that more than half of applicants lack the necessary credentials. The primary reasons cited for the shortage include low salaries, poor working conditions, and a shrinking pool of new teachers entering the profession.
The Illinois State Board of Education reports that the state had roughly 140,000 teachers for the 2023-2024 school year, a number that has grown slowly since the introduction of the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) formula in 2018. However, the number of educators is still not enough to meet the needs of students, particularly in subjects like special education and bilingual education.
In response, Illinois school districts have turned to innovative measures such as utilizing retired teachers, offering virtual classes, and even increasing the number of days retirees can work without impacting their pensions. These measures have had some success, with 86% of districts reporting that retired teachers have helped alleviate the shortage.
While federal funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program provided temporary relief, education leaders are looking to state policymakers for long-term solutions. Governor JB Pritzker has proposed a $350 million increase in the state’s EBF funding and a $45 million investment in a Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot Program aimed at recruiting and retaining teachers.
As Illinois looks ahead, the IARSS recommends continuing investment in teacher training and leadership development, as well as fostering “grow-your-own” programs to cultivate future educators from within local communities.
