About 540 teachers quit the profession each year. Twenty-two percent of new teachers quit after three years. They leave each year for better salaries and better teaching working conditions. Finding substitutes for all of the teachers who are leaving is becoming an even larger problem for school districts. Although different teacher shortage studies and officials have developed programs to bring in and keep more teachers, critics say the programs are not working.
Money is a moving target.
She said as the economy continues to stay strong, teachers and substitute teachers choose to go somewhere else. The Oklahoma State Board of Education said its hands are tied. The State House and Senate are trying to fix problems with health insurance protection and heating bill appropriations. House members say they have too little money to give a raise and the state senators say they wish they could give more money. Teachers don't get paid enough for what they do.