In 2023, North Carolina witnessed its highest teacher turnover in decades, with over 10,000 teachers leaving classrooms, comprising 11.5% of the state’s public school teachers. This departure, up 42% from the previous year, was driven partly by resignations among first-year and newly eligible retirement teachers. To address the growing turnover, schools are recruiting individuals from other careers, with the number of teachers from alternative routes rising significantly. The shortage now extends across all subject areas, unlike previous years when only specific subjects faced shortages. The exact reasons for teacher departures remain unclear, although factors such as pay and lack of support are commonly cited. Efforts to overhaul teacher licensure and increase pay have been proposed but not yet implemented. Additionally, the state’s educator preparation programmes have seen declining enrollment, prompting schools to recruit individuals from other professions as a solution.
