National Education Association poll

As teachers are called upon to do more with less, McGraw Hill’s powerful digital learning solutions, Achieve3000 Literacy and ALEKS, can help. Personalized, flexible, and adaptive, they promote equity and accelerate learning growth for students and help teachers work smarter and more efficiently.

The teacher shortage is all anyone in education is talking about these days. Here are a few data points that illustrate why:

The Wall Street Journal reported that "Some 300,000 public school teachers and other staff left the field between February 2020 and May 2022, a nearly 3% drop in that workforce."

In a poll conducted by the National Education Association, 55% of teachers said they expect to leave education sooner than planned. That’s up from 37% in August 2021.

The American Federation of Teachers did a national survey and found that job satisfaction for educators is at 20% compared to 79% eight years ago.

Clearly teachers are struggling—those who leave and those who stay. In a recent blog, Janis Effner, a former classroom teacher and reading specialist writes, “Do you have classes where you wonder how you could possibly make a difference? Do you live for three-day weekends and holidays, so you can get some rest? You are not alone. There are millions of teachers feeling the same way.”

Research has shown that teacher absences can be very disruptive for students. Desiree Carver-Thomas of the Learning Policy Institute writes, “Teacher shortages can significantly depress student achievement, as schools often cancel courses due to vacancies or staff classes with substitutes and underprepared teachers who are not certified to teach their subject matter.”

Dan Domenech, Executive Director,

School Superintendents Association

Districts are struggling to find solutions. And some are resorting to pretty extreme measures. According to the Washington Post, “Rural school districts in Texas are switching to four-day weeks this fall due to lack of staff. Florida is asking veterans with no teaching background to enter classrooms. Arizona is allowing college students to step in and instruct children.” Fortunately, with the right tools, high-quality student learning and growth can continue.

All McGraw Hill's education products are designed to support students and empower teachers, and Achieve3000 Literacy and ALEKS are no exception. These dynamic learning solutions for literacy and math help teachers meet students where they are and take them where they need to go. 

A Digital Acceleration Solution

for Grades 2-12

Achieve3000 Literacy is a personalized learning tool that accelerates literacy growth through differentiated content and instruction. Extensive research, including a gold standard study with a rating of Strong from Evidence for ESSA, has shown it can double and even triple expected learning gains.

Here’s how it works:

• LevelSet™ Lexile assessment establishes students’ reading levels
• Students receive engaging content at their precise reading level
• Text complexity is automatically adjusted as students learn

Julia Brombacher, Teacher, Bronx Charter School for Better Learning, NY

An Adaptive Math and Science

Program for Grades 3-12

Using Knowledge Space Theory, ALEKS guides each student on a personalized math learning path tailored to their unique knowledge state. Practicing only topics they are ready to learn, students are successful more than 90% of the time. By continuously adapting to their needs, ALEKS boosts students’ confidence and keeps them engaged.

2019 and 2020 SIIA CODiE™

Award Winner

Here’s how it works:

• Initial Knowledge Check determines precisely which topics each student knows and doesn’t know
• Learning Path delivers personalized practice; students fill in prior-year gaps and master grade-level skills
• Automatic Knowledge Checks keep students on their optimal path and deliver spaced practice

Elaine M., Teacher, SC