(The Center Square) — For the second consecutive year, Louisiana’s public school teacher workforce has grown, reaching its highest level in over a decade.
Traditional and charter schools gained a combined 843 teachers during the 2023-24 school year, bringing the total workforce to a record-breaking 52,808 educators, according to a January report from the Louisiana Department of Education.
The percentage of teachers leaving traditional public school positions declined by two percentage points from the previous year, marking the first decrease since the 2020-21 school year. However, the teacher exit rate has has remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 11% and 15%, with 13% leaving last year — the same percentage recorded in 2012-13.
Erin Bendily, vice president of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, said Louisiana has added nearly 3,000 teachers over the past decade, in part due to “expanded pathways and removal of barriers to certification, allowing retirees to return to fill critical shortage areas, and expanding reciprocity for teachers moving into Louisiana from other states.”
Bendily also highlighted efforts by the Louisiana Department of Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide intensive support for new teachers.
“They’ve partnered new educators with experienced, highly effective veteran teachers as mentors and provided excellent content support in core subjects like reading and math,” she said. “I think we’re seeing the results of this good work in that our educators feel a high level of support and have more confidence in their ability to help students grow.”
The number of candidates completing Louisiana’s teacher preparation programs has also increased for the first time since 2012-13, further contributing to the expanding workforce.
Local school districts have played a role in retention efforts as well.
“Several have prioritized competitive compensation along with some state-level appropriations, and that certainly goes a long way in helping our best teachers continue to choose teaching over other professions,” Bendily said.
The growth in Louisiana’s teacher workforce coincides with notable academic gains. Louisiana recently achieved its highest-ever national ranking in fourth-grade reading and showed strong progress in math, according to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress.
State officials credit these improvements to policy changes emphasizing phonics-based reading instruction, high-dosage tutoring, and a renewed focus on foundational math skills.
Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley noted that students — particularly those with disabilities and from low-income backgrounds — are exceeding national averages in academic growth.