A Statewide Analysis of the Prevalence and Variation in Late Teacher Job Postings

While some research suggests that teachers hired late perform worse and leave at higher rates, there is little research that investigates the prevalence or factors that predict late hiring. This descriptive study examines late staffing across Washington State, using late job postings as a proxy for late hires. We combine web-scraped job posting data with state administrative records and original survey data on district hiring practices. We find that approximately 14% of teacher job postings occur within four months after the school year begins, meaning many classrooms are not fully staffed on the first day of school. These late postings are more common in districts with lower test scores and higher proportions of students receiving special education or English language learner services. By subject area, special education positions are disproportionately posted late, while STEM positions are less likely to be late. Long-term substitute positions are also more likely to be posted after the school year starts. We find little evidence that reported HR practices explain late postings.