Solving the Teacher Shortage: How Virtual Staffing Transforms K-12 Education

The national teacher shortage has impacted schools in all 50 states. Some areas have had more problems than others, but the truth is that the overwhelming majority of school districts are finding it difficult or even impossible to fill important teaching positions. Consider the following teacher labor market statistics:

• There are about 55,000 vacant full-time teaching positions in the United States.
• Special education teachers are in particularly short supply, with 70% of schools reporting special education teacher vacancies for the 2023 - 2024 school year. Other subject areas with an acute teacher shortage include math, science, and bilingual education.
• Schools serving a low-income student population are more likely to be affected by the teacher shortage than schools in affluent areas. Stats from the 2022 - 2023 school year show that schools in poor areas lost nearly 30% of their teachers while rich schools lost about 19% of their teachers.
• Recent education statistics show that many schools are turning to under-qualified individuals as a way to deal with the current nationwide shortage of teachers. About 10% of active teachers in U.S. schools aren't fully qualified for their teaching positions.
• The National Education Association says that the ideal student-teacher ratio is 11:1 for elementary students. Unfortunately, the ratio is far higher than this in many of the nation's most populous states. In California, the student-teacher ratio is 48:1. In Florida, the ratio is 46:1, and in Washington, it's 40:1. The student-teacher ratio in Texas is 30:1.
• New teacher applications aren't keeping up with demand as many prospective educators opt for different career paths.
• The national teacher shortage will likely worsen, as 55% of teachers want to leave teaching sooner than they'd originally planned.

Experts offer multiple reasons and potential solutions to the teacher shortage problem. Some point out that the national average teacher salary is 8% lower than the average U.S. worker's salary and propose that raising pay would reduce the teacher turnover rate while encouraging others to take up the profession. Others note that 44% of K-12 employees and 35% of college and university faculty members report that they always or very often feel burned out at work. Still others point out that a high percentage of teachers who are considering leaving their jobs say they would reconsider their plans if school districts could offer better working conditions in the form of more planning time, a reduced workload, and more support managing learner behavior and other classroom challenges.

Whatever the solutions to the teacher shortage may be, the public education system can't wait until the teacher shortage is completely resolved. District administrators need to fill education positions right away. That's why many institutions are turning to virtual staffing.

What is Virtual Staffing and How Does it Help?

Virtual staffing means using online tools and virtual teachers to take the place of some in-person instruction. There are many ways to go about this.

• Virtual schools offer all instruction online. Learners study at home, watching pre-recorded lectures, completing teaching assignments, and studying textbook materials on their own. If they have questions, they can send them in for a teacher to answer. Exams and tests are sent into the virtual school, and scores are sent back to learners.
• Blended learning methods enable schools to combine online learning with in-person instruction. There are multiple blended learning formats to pick from, with each offering varying amounts of online learning. What's more, public schools can choose to have online learning take place in a school classroom or allow learners to study at home.

Virtual staffing can be an ideal solution for schools experiencing teacher shortages because it gives school districts access to more teachers than would be available in any local area. It also allows district administrators to pick the most qualified teachers for any class rather than hiring an uncertified teacher simply because he or she is the only option in the local area.

What's more, virtual staffing can enable schools to meet ever-changing learner needs with ease. School districts can add CTE classes, elective classes, second language classes, and special education classes to meet the needs of students in any given school year. These classes can then be canceled or changed as new teachers are hired, new students enroll, and current students move or graduate.

How to Make Sure Your Virtual Set-Up Provides Students with a Quality Education

Not all virtual education strategies are equal. Following are some factors to bear in mind if you decide to turn to virtual staffing to fill vacant positions.

Choose a Virtual Class System with Care

Virtual education systems solve teacher shortage problems but can cause other ones. Studies show that students who don't interact with their teachers or peers lack a sense of belonging and experience negative emotions that can interfere with the learning process. What's more, cognitive presence declines when students aren't able to contribute to a class by asking questions and interacting with others in the study group.

Ideally, a virtual class set-up should consist of interactive livestream classes that students attend at school. Thus, learners can interact with others before, during, and after class. What's more, the virtual learning platform should include tools that encourage communication and collaboration. These can include discussion boards, chat rooms, and breakout rooms for group projects.

Make Sure You Have the Right IT Set-up

You shouldn't use sub-par equipment any more than you'd hire uncertified teachers. To excel in virtual classes, students need good computers, headphones, and microphones. Public schools need a reliable internet connection that can handle multiple interactive livestreamed classes simultaneously. Facilitators should be present in the room to handle any computer problems that may arise during class.

Plan Classes and Class Schedules in Advance

Plan virtual classes at the beginning of each semester to ensure that you're meeting your state's scope and sequence requirements and provide required assistance to IEP and 504 learners so they can make good progress on their education plan. It's also a good idea to look into offering learners the additional classes they need to earn a high school degree and get into a good university upon graduation.

Furthermore, it's also important to make sure classes are taking place on your school's bell schedule. Decide who will take which classes, which classrooms will be used for the virtual classes, and the timing of each class.

Explain to Students How the Virtual Set-Up Will Work

The National Center for Education Statistics reports that over 70% of all public and private schools used distance learning formats during the COVID-19 pandemic. This means your students are most likely familiar with virtual class set-ups. However, they'll need to know how your virtual class system will work. They should have printed schedules showing the time and location for all interactive livestream classes. They should be prepared to engage with other learners in a virtual format. They should also know how your system works, the deadlines for submitting assignments, and how to communicate with virtual staff members outside of class.

Why Work With Proximity Learning?

Virtual staffing has much to offer, but it can take a lot of hard work to choose the right model for your class. Thankfully, you don't have to go it alone. Proximity Learning is an industry leader in virtual education with over fifteen years of experience helping public schools connect with fully certified virtual teachers. We offer core classes, CTE classes, electives, summer school, tutoring, and special education classes on your school's bell schedule. Our virtual education platforms have all the features and tools needed to make interactive livestream classes engaging for learners of all ages.

If you're considering virtual staffing as a solution for dealing with a teacher shortage or teacher turnover problems, contact us at your convenience to find out more about our services. We look forward to meeting your needs and collaborating with you to provide students with a top-tier education.

‍