teacher shortage

A federally funded program at the University of Central Florida offers a free master's degree in special education in exchange for a teaching commitment.

Yvonne zum Tobel, freelance reporter for WLRN, says there are between 4,000 and 5,000 teacher vacancies in Florida.

Florida universities and school districts are incentivizing college students to become teachers in the highest-need areas, and these programs are "moving the needle."

The state also needs almost 3,500 support staff members.

Florida started the year with 7,000 teacher vacancies, according to the Florida Education Association.

Gov. Ron DeSantis is teasing legislation aimed at recruiting retired law enforcers and other first responders to become school teachers.

Florida students began returning to classrooms this week amid a teacher and support-staff shortage, with some counties still advertising positions and exploring "creative options" to fill vacancies. Bay County is facing particularly strong headwinds as the area still works to recover from Hurricane Michael.

Florida’s new restrictions on discussions of race, diversity, and LGBTQ issues in classrooms have some teachers and school districts worried that partisan politics are seeping over into schools. Critics of those new policies say they’re contributing to a massive increase in teacher vacancies.

Florida schools have just shy of 4,500 teacher vacancies, as lawmakers look at ways to boost pay and help retain educators. The State Board of Education received an annual report Wednesday that detailed data on critical teacher shortages.

Even with a relatively strong economy, the number of high-growth, high-skill, high-paying jobs in Florida isn't where lawmakers like Gov. Ron DeSantis...