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New York Could See 'Severe' Teacher Shortage

As teachers near retirement age and enrollment in teacher education programs decline, a "severe" teacher shortage could loom in New York.

Schools in New York could be facing a teacher shortage.

Schools in New York could be facing a teacher shortage.

Photo Credit: File photo

According to New York State United Teachers, more than 50,000 teachers are older than 55. Within the next five years, more than a third of 270,000 teachers in the in the retirement system could be eligible to retire. The average age of teachers in the state is 48.

While teachers are facing retirement, enrollment of new teachers is down. Since 2009-2010,  enrollment in teacher education programs in New York has decreased by roughly 49 percent— from more than 79,000 students to about 40,000 students in 2014–15, according to NYSUT. 

Ten percent of the graduates are leaving the state for employment elsewhere, according to NYSUT. Eleven percent of teachers leave their school or profession every year, according to NYSUT. New York will need more than 180,000 new teachers in the next decade, according to SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher.

To read the full report from NYSUT, click here. 

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