Tallahassee, Fla – Today, Florida TaxWatch released its 2024 update: "Are Floridians Ready to Go Back to School? Not Without More Teachers," an analysis of Florida’s teacher shortage. In Florida’s FY2023-24 state budget, education was one of the largest consumers of taxpayer dollars; however, a teacher shortage prevents these funds from being effectively utilized.
Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro stated, “When it comes to student performance, teachers are estimated to have two to three times the effect of any other school-related factor, including leadership, which is why it is disconcerting that school administrators are scrambling to find enough qualified teachers for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. While the 2023-24 school year experienced a 13 percent decline in reported vacancies for the first time in four years; reported vacancies are still more than double compared to the 2016-17 school year. Florida policymakers should consider further increasing teacher salaries and support programs that support teacher mentorship, bolster support staffing, and provide financial assistance for mental health resources.”
There are several considerations for Florida’s teacher shortage.
State policymakers have made efforts to address these issues. In 2020, the state of Florida established a dedicated recurring funding source, the Teacher Salary Increase Allocation, which in FY 2024-25 was funded at $1.25 billion.
In 2022, the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program launched, allowing educators and other professions to be eligible for loans to assist first-time income-qualified homebuyers with down payments and closing costs.
In 2023, various pathways were created that allow individuals to become licensed teachers through alternative means, including military veterans and those who currently have a bachelor’s degree through the Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
The demand for teachers is expected to continue growing. Although Florida’s current administration has made historic funding increases for teacher salaries—investing more than $4 billion since 2019—the funding increases failed to bring the average teacher salary to a level competitive with other states or other professions requiring a bachelor's degree.
For more information and access to the full report, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent nonpartisan nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute—and trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 45 years—Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve productivity and accountability within Florida's government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains how fiscal and economic policies impact taxpayers and businesses statewide. FTW is supported by membership via voluntary tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid foundation enabling FTW since 1979 to advocate for a more effective responsive government accountable to taxpayers.
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