News Summary
Florida’s public schools are experiencing a notable drop in teacher vacancies as the state braces for the upcoming school year. Governor Ron DeSantis announced an almost 18% decrease in vacancies compared to the previous year, driven by investments in teacher salaries and certification pathways. While initiatives like the teacher apprenticeship program aim to strengthen the workforce, challenges persist, including a ranking for low teacher compensation and concerns about ongoing vacancies in certain districts.
Tampa – Florida’s public schools are witnessing a significant decline in teacher vacancies as the state moves toward the 2025-26 school year. Governor Ron DeSantis announced that vacancies have decreased by almost 18% compared to the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of improvement in this area. This news was shared during an education roundtable held in Tampa, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to address the state’s teacher shortage amid a nationwide crisis.
The reduction in teacher vacancies is attributed to the state’s investment of over $5.7 billion in teacher salaries and initiatives aimed at expanding certification pathways for new educators. This substantial financial commitment includes a notable $1.5 billion set aside specifically for teacher pay raises. Despite these advancements, Florida continues to rank last in average teacher compensation, with the current average salary for teachers projected at $57,373 for the 2024-25 school year.
A March report by the Learning Policy Institute indicated that approximately 400,000 teaching positions across the United States were either unfilled or occupied by improperly certified educators last year. Florida is not immune to this trend, as several districts are still advertising teaching vacancies on their websites, raising concerns about staffing stability as the new academic year begins.
In an efforts to bolster the teaching workforce, Florida has implemented various strategies, such as a teacher apprenticeship program. Over 80 individuals are currently receiving hands-on training from experienced teachers while they work towards obtaining their teaching certification. Additionally, more than 100 military veterans are beginning careers in teaching through a special certification pathway designed for them, with nearly 700 more having submitted applications to join the program.
Specific local actions are also being taken to address teacher staffing challenges. For example, the Leon County School District is poised to increase its staffing budget by over $6 million for the upcoming school year to accommodate salary and benefit hikes amid persistent fiscal challenges. The district’s total staffing budget will amount to $207 million, with a significant portion earmarked for elementary schools. A recent agreement with the Leon Classroom Teachers Association resulted in a $4 million salary increase as well as additional benefits for educators.
However, the Leon County School District anticipates a drop of around 481 students transferring to private schools, which could lead to decreased funding from the state level. To counteract the teacher shortage, the Florida Department of Education has allocated $5 million to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and Tallahassee State College for a “Grow Your Own Teacher Grant.” This grant aims to develop a pipeline for new teachers through apprenticeships focusing on K-6 elementary education and Exceptional Student Education (ESE).
Despite these initiatives, criticism remains. The president of the Florida Education Association (FEA) expressed concern that recent laws allowing adults to challenge books in school libraries could detract from public education efforts. As the state continues to navigate these challenges, it remains to be seen how the implemented strategies will affect long-term solutions to teacher shortages and educational quality.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New Agreement Enhances Teacher Benefits in Leon County
Leon County School Board Implements New Initiatives
Additional Resources
- Florida Politics: Ron DeSantis Tackles Teacher Vacancy Crisis
- WCJB: Fewer Teacher Vacancies in Florida
- Tallahassee Democrat: Teacher Shortages in Apalachee
- Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU and TSC Enhance Teacher Apprenticeship Programs
- WTXL: State Grants for Teacher Apprenticeships
- Wikipedia: Teacher Shortage
- Google Search: Florida Teacher Vacancy Crisis
- Google Scholar: Florida Education Teacher Shortage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Florida Teacher Vacancies
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
