The state, like much of the country, is grappling with teacher shortages in nearly every subject as educators cite mounting workloads, large class sizes and persistently low pay. Data shows the state lost about 7,000 teachers in 2022 with a turnover rate of around 13%—a number higher than before the pandemic. 

Dr. Carey Wright has been on the job since October, and she’s already setting a new tone at the Maryland State Department of Education.

At the Academy of American Studies in Queens, 10th grade students take a Regents-level English class devoted to the study of books that have historically faced challenges or bans — with students reading works like Elie Wiesel’s “Night,” and Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club.”

"We're changing lives," says Alabaster City School District Superintendent Wayne Vickers who declares they're looking at a 99% graduation rate this year. Here's how he's turned the district from "good" to "great."