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Maryland teacher vacancies fall to about 572 as state expands hiring and support programs
Maryland officials say the number of teacher vacancies has dropped 70% since the 2022-23 school year, from 2,145 to roughly 572. They credit recruitment grants, career pathways and programs aimed at supporting teachers once they enter classrooms.
Maryland reported roughly 572 teacher vacancies for the 2026-27 school year, down from 2,145 in 2022-23, state officials announced Monday. The decline amounts to about 70%, reducing the share of vacant teaching positions from roughly 3.4% to 0.9% across a state with more than 64,000 educators.
Gov. Wes Moore, State Superintendent Carey Wright and State Board of Education President Joshua Michael made the announcement at Hillsmere Elementary School in Anne Arundel County. The county’s vacancies fell from 283 in 2022, Superintendent Mark Bedell’s first year leading the district, to 16 on the first day of school in August.
Bedell said compensation and training have helped, along with efforts to build school environments where teachers feel supported and included.
State officials pointed to a mix of recruitment and retention initiatives, including the Grow Your Own program, which develops local pipelines into teaching and school staff jobs, supports greater diversity in the profession and establishes apprenticeships.
In August, Moore announced nearly $15 million in grants intended to support 845 educators in high-need fields such as special education and early childhood education. A previous round, announced last December with $19 million, was intended to help cut vacancies from more than 1,600 to 886.
The state also promotes teaching through TEACH Maryland, which helps prospective educators and career changers explore the profession. Officials have cited federal layoffs and job cuts as one source of workers seeking new career paths, including teaching.
Separately, the General Assembly approved $14.2 million during this year’s legislative session for a statewide instructional-coaching program. More than 60 educators are expected to work with literacy and math teachers this school year. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Accountability and Implementation Board, which oversees the state’s 10-year education reform plan, has recommended continued funding.
Moore said the state would keep investing in efforts to bring more educators into the profession, while Wright said the initiatives are producing measurable results for schools and students. Officials said their goal remains filling every classroom vacancy.