Is There Really a Teacher Shortage?

Earlier this month, Karen Palasek’s Spotlight report, Truth on Teacher Shortage” revealed that projections from the National Center for Education Statistics do not support the “exponential growth” in public school enrollment suggested by Gov. Easley and used to justify teacher incentives. That prompted a column by Dunn Daily Record Editor and Publisher Bart Adams, in which he detailed Palasek’s analysis and discussed teacher pay. “For one thing – and I’m hiding behind my desk as I write this – teachers are already paid pretty well,” Adams wrote. He then referenced previous JLF research that shows, when full compensation is measured, North Carolina’s teachers are paid above the national average. To read Palasek’s report, visit
JLF and click on “Spotlights,” number 246.