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National Report Card on Physics Teacher Preparation

Help us solve the physics teacher shortage in the U.S.

Even small increases in the number of newly prepared teachers – such as an existing program graduating one additional physics teacher, or a professor inspiring one more student to enter a certification program – can make a huge difference to your local community.

Read on to explore our data about the physics teacher shortage. If you’re ready to participate in reducing the shortage, PhysTEC offers resources, tools, and strategies as well as funding opportunities to establish, bolster, and expand physics teacher education programs.

For more information about our data, please see the FAQ.

The severe physics teacher shortage in the US is due to\nlow teacher preparation rates at colleges and universities Bar Chart

See where institutions are preparing physics teachers

Click on a state to learn more.

ConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaRhode IslandN/AEstimated need: New teachers/year: 0Need met: 0%

State reports

This table reports state-by-state estimates for the annual number of new teachers who have at least a physics-related minor. Click on a state to learn more.

State
Estimated annual physics teacher need
Estimated need met
Estimated new teachers with at least a physics-related minor
Shortfall (additional teachers needed)
1. Massachusetts3442.1%18.319.7
2. Utah2735.8%12.417.3
3. New York11331.6%45.777.3
4. Idaho1625.0%5.112.0
5. Pennsylvania6519.5%16.252.3
6. Wisconsin4318.6%10.235.0
7. Illinois6817.2%14.956.3
8. North Carolina6017.2%13.249.7
9. Minnesota5116.3%10.742.7
10. Ohio7115.5%14.160.0
Figures are based on a three-year average of data reported to Title II. See the FAQ for more information.

Institution reports

This table reports the number of new teachers who have a physics-related major that individual institutions prepared in the three most recent academic years that data is available. The table also includes the total number of teachers with a physics-related major who are prepared at programs in the US that are not at institutions of higher education (“Non-IHE programs”). For statistics on the number of teachers prepared by Non-IHE programs in your state, please check the state report above and/or contact us.

Click on an institution or enter an institution name in the Search box to see an individual institution's report.

Institution
2018–2019
2019–2020
2020–2021
Average
East Carolina UniversityPhysTEC member badge91189.3
Western Governors University - Washington6123.0
Alliant International University0442.7
Illinois State University5+ club member badgePhysTEC member badge0712.7
University of Minnesota Twin Cities5+ club member badgePhysTEC member badgePhysTEC supported member badge3322.7
CUNY City College5+ club member badgePhysTEC member badge4132.7
CUNY Hunter College1072.7
CUNY Queens College4312.7
Northern Arizona University4212.3
Illinois Institute of TechnologyPhysTEC member badge02.3
Figures are based on a three-year average of data reported to Title II. See the FAQ for more information.

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