Substitute Teachers in Critical Short Supply Across America

Significant impact expected on education

A class at Stark Elementary School in Stamford, Conn., on March 10, 2021. John Moore/Getty Images

Substitute teachers are in critically short supply, and America’s schoolchildren may be short-changed because of it.

Burbio, a service that tracks school websites, reported numerous school closings across Texas last week due to staff absences and substitute shortages. Many other states are experiencing similar problems.