PHX Reporter

PHOENIX – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne addressed the critical issue of the teacher shortage in Arizona during his recent State of Education speech. Horne described the situation as a "potential catastrophe" that demands immediate attention. He highlighted the alarming statistics, stating, "Currently, we have 60,000 teachers in our classrooms. 8,000 of them are leaving each year."

In response to the pressing need for more educators, Horne outlined various initiatives aimed at improving academic outcomes and workforce development. He expressed concern about the significant number of teachers exiting the profession annually, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue promptly.

Horne also discussed the Arizona Education Economic Commission, a platform he established in 2023 to tackle workforce development challenges. He revealed, "We entered into an agreement with the leaders of the major companies in our state: we will provide the skilled workers."

Furthermore, Horne stressed the collaboration between educational institutions and businesses to ensure that the workforce is equipped with the necessary skills. He stated, "In return, the businesses will either teach our career technical education teachers what skills to teach or will provide people to teach those skills."

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction emphasized the need for legislative support to increase teacher salaries and enhance state laws to provide more administrative support for teacher discipline. These measures aim to address the top reasons cited by teachers for leaving the profession.

Horne's speech also highlighted additional initiatives such as school improvement teams, leadership training, paperwork reduction, and school safety measures. These efforts underscore the commitment to improving educational outcomes and preparing students for success in the workforce.