Research Report

Districts Continue to Struggle With Staffing, Political Polarization, and Unfinished Instruction

Melissa Kay Diliberti, and Heather L. Schwartz
November 2022 | RAND Corporation

This research report from the RAND Corporation includes findings from analyzing survey data collected from superintendents between February and April 2022. The investigators found more than 90% of districts nationally have changed one or more school operations amid teacher shortages, such as increasing pay for in-demand roles, temporarily adding to teacher duties, combining classes or canceling planning periods. The authors concluded that a surge of school district hiring efforts, rather than a workforce classroom exodus, is straining the teacher labor market. In addition, the survey showed that half of districts are preparing for an anticipated financial drop-off, and districts continue to have high levels of concern for mental health.