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Interactive Tool

Understanding Teacher Shortages 2016

A State-by-State Analysis of the Factors Influencing Teacher Supply, Demand, and Equity
Published

This map highlights a number of key factors that reflect and influence teacher supply and attrition and signal whether states are likely to have an adequate supply of qualified teachers to fill their classrooms. Based on these data—which treat compensation, teacher turnover, working conditions, and qualifications—each state is assigned a “teaching attractiveness rating,” indicating how supportive it appears to be of teacher recruitment and retention and a “teacher equity rating,” indicating the extent to which students, in particular students of color, are assigned uncertified or inexperienced teachers. Ratings are on a 1-5 scale, with 1 (the lightest color) being the least desirable and 5 (the darkest color) being the most desirable.

Also see 2023 data on the teacher workforce or the 2018 version of this interactive.