Teacher vacancies in Florida have dropped by 17.7% for the 2025-2026 school year compared to the previous year, according to an announcement from the Florida Department of Education. Over the past two years, teacher vacancies have decreased by nearly 30%. The department emphasized that its vacancy data comes directly from school districts, not from third-party sources.
“Florida continues to attract the best teaching talent because we have raised teacher pay, empowered our teachers in the classroom and created new pathways for Floridians to enter the teaching profession,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “While the teachers unions use the same, tired tactics in an attempt to smear Florida’s education system, we are focused on providing our teachers with the tools they need to succeed, and the data show our approach is working. I am proud of the work Florida has done to dramatically reduce the number of vacancies across the state thanks to the policies Governor Ron DeSantis has championed.”
Since Governor Ron DeSantis took office, more than $5.9 billion has been allocated toward increasing pay for teachers and instructional staff. The state has also broadened opportunities for people interested in becoming teachers. The Teacher Apprenticeship Program currently provides on-the-job training for over 80 participants under experienced educators while they work toward certification; almost 500 individuals have applied for this program.
In addition, more than 100 military veterans have started teaching careers through a temporary certificate offered via the Military Veterans Certification Pathway, with nearly 700 applications received so far.
