Story Highlights
- 82% of education leaders find it challenging to hire quality math teachers
- Math is more difficult to hire for than other subjects
- Schools in lower-income and rural areas have more trouble hiring
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Nearly half of U.S. K-12 education leaders, 48%, say it is “very challenging” to hire well-qualified math teachers. That exceeds the 42% saying the same about science teachers and is well above the percentages for English language arts and social studies. Another 34% of K-12 leaders say it is “somewhat challenging” to hire well-qualified math teachers.
These results are from the Gallup Math Matters Study, conducted by Gallup with support from the Gates Foundation via web Dec. 2-9, 2024. The survey is based on 1,471 education leaders, including 203 superintendents and 1,268 principals. Respondents were surveyed using a national list of superintendents and principals.
Leaders in Lower-Income Areas Report Greater Hiring Challenges
Education leaders serving lower-income and rural areas report greater hiring difficulty for qualified math teachers. Over half of leaders in areas with a median household income below $65,000 (55%) say hiring math teachers is very challenging, compared with 45% of those in higher-income areas. Similarly, 55% of rural district leaders report greater hiring challenges, compared with 45% of those in cities, suburban areas or towns.
Additionally, high school principals (64%) face greater hiring difficulties than middle school (56%) and elementary school (23%) principals.
The hiring difficulties reported for math teachers by community income level, area of the school and grade level extend to other subject areas. Schools and districts serving lower-income and rural areas are more likely than their peers to say it is very challenging to hire well-qualified social studies, science and English language arts teachers. Relatedly, leaders at the middle school and high school levels are also more likely than their elementary school peers to say hiring well-qualified science teachers is very challenging.
Bottom Line
Math is a foundational skill essential for Americans’ personal and professional success, yet recent assessments indicate that U.S. students are falling behind. The 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results showed the largest declines in math scores in decades, with significant gaps widening among lower-income students. Similarly, the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) revealed that U.S. students lag behind many of their international peers in math proficiency, particularly at the eighth-grade level.
The difficulty in staffing well-qualified math teachers — especially in lower-income areas and at the high school level — poses a serious challenge for the future of U.S. education. Addressing this shortage will be critical to ensuring that students receive the instruction they need to succeed in an increasingly data-driven world.
Learn more about the Gallup Math Matters Study.
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