State Superintendent Molly Spearman released the following statement today on the release of the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA) 2019-2020 Educator Supply and Demand Report.

"I am encouraged by the positive shift in teacher recruitment and retention results in the Supply and Demand Report released today by CERRA. South Carolina's significant investment and continued commitment to raising teacher salary, eliminating high stakes tests, and bolstering safety and mental health resources is paying off. The decline in the number of teachers leaving the profession, fewer vacancies, and the first annual increase in graduates from teacher preparation programs in six years is great news for students, parents, and school communities and underscores how important education reform efforts are to the future of our state."

Fast Facts from the Report

• Districts reported fewer teacher departures, new hires, and vacant teaching positions.
• The number of students who graduated from South Carolina public and private institutions with a Bachelor’s degree and teacher certification eligibility during 2018-19 (1,752) is up by 5% from the previous academic year (1,673).
• South Carolina districts reported 555.5 teaching positions (in FTEs) still vacant at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year. Compared to last year, this number signifies an 11% decrease.
• The number of teacher departures (those moving to another school district, retiring, caring for a family member, or pursuing another career path) declined 9% to 6,650 FTEs. 5% (332.5) left to pursue work in another field.
• A closer look at first-year teachers revealed improvement in classroom retention. Of the first-year teachers hired for the 2018-19 school year, 28% did not return to the same position in 2019-20, down from 34% last year.

The 2019-2020 Educator Supply and Demand Report can be found here.