Florida Department of Education reports a significant 17.7% reduction in teacher vacancies for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year
Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Department of Education recently announced a promising development for the state’s education system: teacher vacancies for the 2025-2026 school year have decreased by 17.7% compared to the previous year. This marks a significant achievement as, when combined with the reduction in 2024-2025, teacher vacancies in Florida have dropped by nearly 30% over the past two years. The data, gathered directly from school districts and reported to the Department, stands in contrast to other sources that have sometimes inflated vacancy figures with inaccurate third-party data.
Florida’s efforts to combat teacher shortages appear to be paying off. Anastasios Kamoutsas, Commissioner of Education, attributed the reduction in vacancies to several key factors that have been implemented over recent years. “Florida continues to attract the best teaching talent because we have raised teacher pay, empowered our teachers in the classroom, and created new pathways for Floridians to enter the teaching profession,” said Kamoutsas. “While the teachers unions use the same, tired tactics in an attempt to smear Florida’s education system, we are focused on providing our teachers with the tools they need to succeed, and the data show our approach is working.”
Governor Ron DeSantis has been a key figure behind this success, as his administration has prioritized education funding and teacher support. Since he took office, Florida has invested more than $5.9 billion towards teacher pay and other instructional personnel increases. This focus on financial support is aimed at not only retaining current teachers but also attracting new talent to the state’s classrooms. The salary increases have been a pivotal part of the state’s strategy to make teaching a more attractive profession, helping to mitigate the ongoing shortage.
Beyond salary adjustments, Florida has expanded the pathways available for individuals to enter the teaching profession. One example is the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, which allows individuals to gain on-the-job training from experienced teachers while working toward their teaching certification. To date, more than 80 people have received training through this program, with nearly 500 more applicants. This initiative provides an alternative to traditional teacher preparation routes and helps bring more diverse talent into the field.
Another significant strategy has been the Military Veterans Certification Pathway, which allows military veterans to transition into teaching by earning a temporary teaching certificate. The program has already helped more than 100 veterans begin their careers in education, and nearly 700 veterans have applied to join the program. This effort not only provides veterans with new career opportunities but also enriches Florida’s classrooms with individuals who bring valuable life experience and leadership skills.
These combined efforts have resulted in a noticeable decrease in teacher vacancies, signaling that the state’s strategies are beginning to have a tangible impact. As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, there is growing optimism that Florida will continue to reduce vacancies and improve its educational landscape. The success in reducing teacher shortages aligns with broader efforts to enhance the overall quality of education in the state.
Commissioner Kamoutsas expressed pride in Florida’s progress, noting that the state’s commitment to supporting educators has helped make significant strides in addressing one of the most pressing challenges in education today. “I am proud of the work Florida has done to dramatically reduce the number of vacancies across the state thanks to the policies Governor Ron DeSantis has championed.”
As the state moves forward, the focus will remain on ensuring that classrooms are staffed with highly qualified teachers and that Florida continues to foster an environment that attracts and retains the best talent in the field. The ongoing investments in teacher salaries and alternative certification pathways demonstrate a clear commitment to the future of education in Florida.
