Improvement in Hawaii's Teacher Shortage
- Student at Lahainaluna High School, Jonah Basurto struggled with a lack of teachers for his classes.
- Recent reports indicate that Hawaii's teacher shortage situation is showing signs of improvement.
- Efforts are being made to address the teacher shortage issue in Hawaii.
As students returned to classes last week, the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) reported only 166 unfilled teaching positions, a significant improvement from previous years. This positive trend is attributed to a new contract from the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA), which offers veteran teachers increased pay incentives to remain in the classroom. Additionally, the state has intensified its recruitment of educators from the Philippines and other countries while decreasing its reliance on emergency hires, who lack full teaching credentials. Currently, the DOE employs 342 emergency hires, a notable reduction from over 580 last year. This shift comes as school administrators have faced challenges in staffing, often resorting to combining classes when teachers were unavailable. Under the new HSTA contract, veteran teachers can elevate their salaries to over $100,000 by participating in professional development and advancing on the salary scale, encouraging many contemplating retirement to extend their careers. The influx of teachers from the Philippines has also bolstered staffing levels, with around 80 educators welcomed at the start of the last school year. These teachers bring valuable classroom experience, and schools like Baldwin High have already seen the benefits of hiring licensed educators from abroad. While it remains uncertain if salary increases are attracting new teachers, the decline in special education vacancies suggests a positive shift, as veteran teachers transition into these roles. Interest in teaching careers among Hawaii students is on the rise, particularly with clear pathways to licensure. Over 300 students applied for Chaminade scholarships to cover education degree costs, and the new apprenticeship program is expected to further alleviate financial barriers to obtaining teaching licenses.