Horne Sounds Alarm Over Escalating Teacher Shortage Crisis

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona’s Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, has raised concerns regarding a significant decline in the number of teachers in the state. He recently revealed the results of a troubling teacher retention survey that signals a looming crisis within the educational profession.

The survey, which included nearly 1,000 teachers who exited the field in 2023, indicated that many left due to insufficient administrative support for classroom discipline and inadequate pay. Horne pointed out that the attrition rate among new educators is alarming, with more teachers departing than entering the profession. He warned, “If this trend continues, we risk finding ourselves without any teachers.”

During a recent legislative session, Horne advocated for a bill aimed at enforcing administrative support for teachers dealing with discipline issues. Unfortunately, this proposal did not pass, and he fears that the situation will only escalate. “This is a crisis, and it needs to be addressed immediately,” he stated, adding that efforts to increase teacher salaries have also stalled amid political disagreements.

The survey results are stark: approximately 67 percent of respondents pointed to low pay as a major factor in their decision to leave. Nearly 64 percent reported that student behavior and discipline problems contributed to their exit, while almost 47 percent expressed dissatisfaction with their administration. Furthermore, over 45 percent indicated that working conditions were unsatisfactory.

Horne emphasized that the teaching community knows what is needed for success. “Better pay and robust support from administrators on discipline are vital,” he asserted, calling for immediate attention to these pressing issues facing Arizona’s educators.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.