By Zack Frink, Elevate Dayton
A report by the Ohio Department of Education is revealing a need for teachers in Southwest Ohio, with low initial pay, childcare requirements and lack of respect for educators cited as hindrances, reported by the Dayton Daily News.
The big picture: the ODE report reveals troubling trends.
A growing percentage of teachers instruct outside their certification scope.
Around 20% of teachers have less than five years of experience.
An increasing number of certified teachers are shifting towards administrative roles or leaving the profession entirely.
Driving the news: Teacher shortages are being observed across the board, not only in traditionally affected urban and rural areas.
The problem persists even in affluent districts that offer high salaries and benefits.
By the numbers: In 2022, there were 216,442 credentialed teachers in Ohio.
But only 138,186 were working in schools, and 110,147 credentialed teachers were actively teaching.
What we're hearing: The lack of childcare is a significant factor contributing to the teacher shortage.
A trend has been noted where one parent, often a woman, opts to stay home with young children due to childcare costs.
This is significant as women comprise about 75% of teachers, according to ODE.
Between the lines: The teacher to student ratios in public schools are at historic lows, largely due to reduced student enrollments in public schools and a declining birth rate in Ohio since 2015. Key follow up: ODE staffers believe there is more data to be explored, such as the reasons why those with active licenses aren't currently working. The bottom line: The teacher shortage in Ohio, particularly Southwest Ohio, is a multifaceted issue that will require comprehensive solutions addressing teachers' pay, childcare, and professional respect.
This article originally appeared on Elevate Dayton and republished through its partnership with the Dayton Weekly News.
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