Teaching Workforce Grew 46 Percent from 1988-2012

Despite declines in some areas, the U.S. teaching workforce grew 46 percent between the school years ending 1988 and 2012, according to a significant new study based on data from the Schools and Staffing Survey. Growth among teachers in private schools grew at a higher rate than public schools, but private school teachers still account for only about 12 percent of the teacher workforce. Other findings:

• The number of teachers in high-poverty public schools grew by nearly 325 percent, compared to a decline of almost 20 percent for teachers in low-poverty schools
• These fields saw above-average growth among teachers: English as a Second Language, English language arts, math, foreign language, natural science and special education.
• These fields saw below-average growth: general elementary education, vocation-technical education and art/music.
• The number of minority teachers grew by 104 percent, and the percentage of minority teachers increased to 17.3 percent. However, minority teachers overall remain underrepresented in the teaching force.

National Center for Education Statistics (04/11/17)

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