Classroom Teachers in Utah's Public Schools - Ben Leishman Last Updated: May 27, 2015
Do classroom teachers really only represent 50% of all full time equivalent (FTE) positions in the school districts and charter schools? This question was asked by several legislators following the distribution of our State Budget Quick Facts card last week. In short, the answer is yes. The ratio of classroom teachers compared to other employment categories has remained relatively flat at approximately 50% for at least the last eight years.The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) reports FTE staff by position type in the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) each year in the Superintendent's Annual Report. The following pie chart shows the breakdown of FTE staff by major position type in FY 2014. FTE positions are categorized as follows:- Classroom Teachers - licensed professionals with an active teaching assignment,
- Instructional Support (Licensed) - licensed professionals in a supporting role, includes teacher leaders and specialists, librarians, school counselors, etc.,
- Instructional Support (Classified) - non-licensed paraprofessionals and aides working in classroom or library support,
- LEA & School Administrators (Licensed) - licensed professionals working in school and LEA leadership positions, such as superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, etc.,
- LEA & School Administration (Classified) - non-licensed administrative support positions,
- Other Classified - non-licensed general support positions such as cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance, etc.
Combining the Classroom Teachers and Instructional Support categories shows that approximately 72% of all FTE positions are actively involved in student instruction activities. The ratio of these combined positions has also remained relatively flat over the past eight years. The following table shows a history of these FTE positions for the past eight years. The final column of the table provides the percent change for each position over that eight-year time span. Licensed administrative positions have grown the most at approximately 52%, followed by Other Classified positions at 17% and Classroom Teachers at 12%. 
Do classroom teachers really only represent 50% of all full time equivalent (FTE) positions in the school districts and charter schools? This question was asked by several legislators following the distribution of our State Budget Quick Facts card last week. In short, the answer is yes. The ratio of classroom teachers compared to other employment categories has remained relatively flat at approximately 50% for at least the last eight years.
The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) reports FTE staff by position type in the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) each year in the Superintendent's Annual Report. The following pie chart shows the breakdown of FTE staff by major position type in FY 2014. FTE positions are categorized as follows:
- Classroom Teachers - licensed professionals with an active teaching assignment,
- Instructional Support (Licensed) - licensed professionals in a supporting role, includes teacher leaders and specialists, librarians, school counselors, etc.,
- Instructional Support (Classified) - non-licensed paraprofessionals and aides working in classroom or library support,
- LEA & School Administrators (Licensed) - licensed professionals working in school and LEA leadership positions, such as superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal, etc.,
- LEA & School Administration (Classified) - non-licensed administrative support positions,
- Other Classified - non-licensed general support positions such as cafeteria workers, bus drivers, maintenance, etc.
Combining the Classroom Teachers and Instructional Support categories shows that approximately 72% of all FTE positions are actively involved in student instruction activities. The ratio of these combined positions has also remained relatively flat over the past eight years. The following table shows a history of these FTE positions for the past eight years. The final column of the table provides the percent change for each position over that eight-year time span. Licensed administrative positions have grown the most at approximately 52%, followed by Other Classified positions at 17% and Classroom Teachers at 12%.