https://www.city-journal.org/article/shrinking-schools-soaring-salaries https://www.city-journal.org/article/shrinking-schools-soari... relevant Since 2014, the

https://www.city-journal.org/article/shrinking-schools-soaring-salaries https://www.city-journal.org/article/shrinking-schools-soari... relevant Since 2014, the quantity of instructional staff (teachers, classroom aides, guidance counselors, principals, and other supervisors) has risen in public schools to nearly 3.8 million—a gain of about 188,000 positions, or 5 percent, according to National Education Association estimates. That includes about 62,000 teachers and 47,000 principals and supervisors. Over the same period, public school enrollment fell to about 48.8 million children, from 49.9 million, a 2 percent loss. While enrollment wasn’t growing substantially before the pandemic—thanks to declining birthrates and the rising success of nontraditional schools like charters in attracting students—the school population has plunged since 2020, a consequence of extended Covid shutdowns that sent parents fleeing public schools. Even with the pandemic in the rearview mirror, kids are not returning to public schools. In the school year just under way, the NEA estimates ongoing enrollment losses, bringing the ratio of students to teachers to historical lows—from 15.9 students per teacher in 2014 to the current level of 15.3. If somehow a teacher shortage looms, it has yet to show up, even in the NEA’s own estimates