In some areas the shortage has become a crisis. Public school teachers and University of Hawaii professors have essentially closed the state's public education system. Over 200,000 students are shut out of class until contract disputes are resolved. Both teacher's unions are striking for pay increases and better working conditions. While salaries are slowly increasing for teachers, they're still low in comparison to other professions.
Compensation varies drastically from state to state.
The AFT reported that in 1999, the three states offering the highest starting salaries for teachers were Alaska, Connecticut, and New York. At the bottom of the list were Arkansas, Idaho, and North Dakota. Public teachers nationwide are required to have a bachelor's degree. Many states also require that teachers be licensed and complete a teacher's education program. Some states require additional coursework, such as technology training or a Masters in Education.