by A new statewide report reveals a severe teacher shortage impacting the majority of Pennsylvania counties in 2025.
The findings show that 45 out of 67 counties are suffering from “severe” or “extremely severe” gaps in qualified educators.
What Happened
Teach Plus Pennsylvania, in collaboration with other education advocacy groups, released a comprehensive analysis of the state’s teacher workforce.
The report highlights deep staffing issues across schools in nearly every part of the commonwealth.
The findings confirm what many districts have experienced firsthand: a crisis in attracting and retaining qualified teachers.
Key Details
- 45 counties are experiencing teacher shortages ranked as severe or extremely severe.
- The report draws from Pennsylvania Department of Education data on teacher certifications, emergency permits, and subject-area needs.
- Only about 20 counties show mild or moderate teacher shortages.
The analysis, conducted by Penn State University professor Ed Fuller, factored in teacher attrition, emergency hires, and the declining pipeline of new educators.
Some key counties impacted include:
| County | Severity of Shortage | Additional Teachers Needed | Notable Concerns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | Extremely Severe | 350 | New teacher supply down 50% in 10 years |
| Bucks | Moderate | 190 | Only 4% of teachers are people of color |
| York | Severe | 208 | Certifications down 60% in a decade |
| Philadelphia | Extremely Severe | — | Workforce diversity and size in decline |
| Delaware | Extremely Severe | — | Severe staffing struggles |
| Allegheny | Severe | — | Shortage identified across school districts |
Reactions or Statements
“Pennsylvania is in the midst of a teacher shortage crisis,” said Laura Boyce, executive director of Teach Plus Pennsylvania.
“Every county is feeling the harm of not having enough teachers in the classroom,” she added.
Investigation or What’s Next
The coalition, branded as #PANeedsTeachers, is urging state lawmakers to implement several solutions:
- Stipends for student teachers to ease the financial burden.
- Apprenticeship programs to develop future educators.
- Improved data collection to guide policy and funding decisions.
The report emphasizes the need for a strategic statewide effort to reverse the trend and stabilize the educator workforce.
FAQs
Why is there a teacher shortage in Pennsylvania?
Factors include declining interest in the profession, low teacher pay, burnout, and a lack of diverse recruitment.
What is an emergency permit holder?
Someone teaching without full certification, often as a temporary solution to staffing shortages.
Which subject areas are hardest to staff?
Special education, STEM, and world languages remain among the most difficult to fill.
How does this shortage affect students?
Larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and reduced academic support are common consequences.
What is the role of diversity in this issue?
Many counties have student populations more diverse than their teaching staff, contributing to representation gaps and equity concerns.
Summary / Final Takeaway
The 2025 report underscores the escalating teacher shortage crisis facing Pennsylvania.
With over 45 counties in urgent need of qualified educators, the state must take swift policy action to support recruitment, training, and retention efforts.
Without intervention, the strain on Pennsylvania’s public education system is expected to intensify, impacting students, teachers, and communities alike.
