A CERRA educator supply + demand survey sent to all S.C. public school districts released its findings this January, which were presented to members of the Greater Greenville Forum and Public Education Partners last week. Here are the key takeaways:

🍎 For the 2017-18 year, there were more teaching positions, new hires, vacancies + departures

🍎 However, since 2012-13, there are fewer S.C. students graduating with teaching certifications (dropped by 30%) and fewer new hires out of state education programs (dropped by 25%)

Conclusion: Districts are hiring more frequently from out of state + country (which means teachers who come to S.C. as part of out-of-state teaching programs will return home)

🍎 There’s been a 16% increase in vacant teacher positions since last school year

🍎 500 teaching positions are still vacant for the 2017-2018 school year

🍎 7,300 vacancies and new positions were already filled before the 2017-2018 school year

Conclusion: The increased amount of vacancies comes from teachers continuing to leave their positions, and S.C. colleges/universities aren’t producing enough new teachers to fill their spots

🍎 38% of teachers who left their job at the end of the 2017-17 school year had 5 or fewer years of experience (12% had less than 1)

🍎 22% of teachers hired for their first year in 2016-17 left the position during or at the end of the year + are no longer teaching in an S.C. public school

Conclusion: Teachers need to be better prepared + supported in their roles, with more pathways into teaching jobs, more financial aid for teaching programs, and better salaries.