69´«Ã½

Recruitment & Retention Video

What’s Behind the School Staffing Shortages – And What Districts Can Do To Address Them

By Jaclyn Borowski & Mark Lieberman — September 23, 2021 4:03
A sign advertises for school bus drivers outside Norris Middle School in Omaha, Neb., on July 29, 2020.
Email Copy URL

Across the country, school districts are facing a shortage of bus drivers, custodians, substitute teachers, cafeteria works, and more. Some of the reasons behind these gaps are specific to the pandemic, while others have been building for some time. All have a direct impact on students. Here, a look at what’s behind these issues, and what districts can do to address them.

Jaclyn Borowski is the director of photography and videography for Education Week.
Mark Lieberman is a reporter for Education Week who covers school finance.

Video

School & District Management Video Everything You Need to Know About Electric School Buses
While electric school bus usage is growing nationally, it's not without its challenges. Here's a look at the state of transportation.
Zum electric buses are parked before a news conference announcing the Oakland Unified School District as being the first major school district in the country to use 100% electric school buses at the Zum/OUSD bus yard in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024.
Zum electric buses are parked before a news conference announcing the Oakland Unified School District as being the first major school district in the country to use 100% electric school buses at the Zum/OUSD bus yard in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024.
Jeff Chiu/AP
69´«Ã½ & Literacy Video Teaching Content and Supporting 69´«Ã½ Through Disciplinary Literacy
Get up to speed on what disciplinary literacy is and how teachers can start thinking about it—no matter their subject.
School & District Management Video How This Principal Manages Student Behavior—Without Too Many Rules
Principal Tracie Anderson Swilley brought students on board to make big changes to her school’s culture.
Recruitment & Retention Video Recruiting and Retaining STEM Teachers: A Former White House Adviser's Take
A retired teacher and former White House policy adviser has some ideas for schools leaders looking to recruit and retain in STEM.
Teacher Nathalie Roy, left, talks to her Glasgow Middle School students about using papyrus and learning about writing with smelly squid ink on the papyrus in Baton Rouge, La., on Aug. 23, 2019. This unlikely elective course open to students at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge connects traditional classical studies with STEM.
Teacher Nathalie Roy, left, talks to her Glasgow Middle School students about using papyrus and learning about writing with smelly squid ink on the papyrus in Baton Rouge, La., on Aug. 23, 2019. This unlikely elective course open to students at Glasgow Middle School in Baton Rouge connects traditional classical studies with STEM.
Bill Feig/The Advocate via AP