Governor Moore Announces Teacher Vacancy Rate Drop by Over 70 Percent in 4 Years
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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Moore, State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright and State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua L. Michael today announced historic declines in the Maryland teacher vacancy rate — falling 73.3 percent over the last four years. Teacher vacancies dropped from a high point of 2,145 during the 2022-23 school year to 572 this school year, attributed to a broad range of initiatives, including salary enhancements, Grow-Your-Own Educators programs, and recruitment and retention efforts with state government, school system and labor partners.
“I want Maryland to have the best schools in the world, and that means every classroom must have a dedicated teacher ready to engage and mentor the next generation,” said Gov. Moore. “Our administration has tackled barriers to entry and strategically invested to create opportunities for passionate educators to pursue their dream of teaching. We are proud of the historic progress we’ve made, and we won’t stop until every vacancy is filled to deliver the world class education our students deserve.”
Dr. Wright and Dr. Michael made the announcement at Hillsmere Elementary School in Annapolis with Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell.
“Maryland’s continued progress in reducing teacher vacancies reflects our deep commitment to building and sustaining a strong educator workforce,” said State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright. “These results show that targeted investments and partnerships are making a measurable difference for students and schools across the state. We will continue advancing strategies that attract, prepare, and support excellent educators for every classroom.”
“This milestone demonstrates what is possible when state leaders, local districts, and educators work together toward a common goal,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Joshua L. Michael. “Ensuring every student has access to highly effective teachers remains at the center of the Board’s mission. We are encouraged by this progress and will remain focused on policies that strengthen the profession and elevate outcomes for Maryland students.”
Teacher vacancies in Anne Arundel County Public Schools have fallen from 283 in 2022, Dr. Bedell’s first year in the district, to 16 on the first day of school this year.
“The hard work to reduce teacher vacancies has many pieces to it,” said Anne Arundel County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell. “Compensation and training programs are certainly huge factors, but so is creating supportive cultures where every teacher feels a sense of belonging. We are very proud of the work we have done in all of those areas.”
More than 64,000 educators work in Maryland public schools. The largest teacher vacancy decline — 45.3 percent — occurred between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. Elementary education vacancies fell by 63.3 percent during the same period.
The Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act—signed by Gov. Moore this year—takes additional steps to address the teacher shortage by developing fully licensed teachers through debt-free pathways to teacher licensure and teacher recruitment campaigns. Among the state-level recruitment efforts championed by the Moore-Miller Administration:
- The registered teaching apprenticeship program provides aspiring educators with more hands-on training, mentorship, and paid work experience. Approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council, the program developed through a partnership between MSDE, MSEA, and Maryland Department of Labor. The program’s first cohort enrolled in Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Washington and Worcester counties earlier this year.
- The Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program, also expanded through the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, creates stronger pathways for non-licensed school staff to become full-time teachers. Sixteen districts statewide have received grants, totaling $33.7 million.
- TEACH Maryland targets and supports aspiring educators at every stage—from high school students to career changers—by making it easier to explore teaching and find a path that fits their goals.
- The Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant program provides $1 million to diversify and strengthen teaching programs.
The Moore-Miller Administration’s sustained focus on public education has improved academic outcomes across the state. Maryland ranked 3rd in the nation in reading growth and 5th in math between 2022 and 2025. As part of his Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal, Governor Wes Moore passed a historic $10.1 billion investment in Maryland’s K-12 education.
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