Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced Monday that teacher vacancies in the state’s public schools have declined by 73.3% over the past four years, dropping from 2,145 during the 2022-23 school year to 572 during the current school year.
According to state officials, the decline is attributed to salary increases, recruitment and retention efforts, and programs designed to help aspiring educators enter the profession. The largest year-over-year decrease occurred between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years, when vacancies fell by 45.3%, including a 63.3% reduction in elementary education vacancies.
The state highlighted initiatives such as the Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program, which has awarded $33.7 million to 16 school districts, and a teaching apprenticeship program offering paid training and mentorship. Officials said efforts will continue to address remaining vacancies across Maryland’s public schools.
