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Yes.
Act 10 — former Gov. Scott Walker’s 2011 law cutting benefits and curbing collective bargaining for most public employees in Wisconsin — has contributed to the ongoing shortage of teachers in the state, according to multiple analyses.
The combined effect of Act 10’s passage with long-term market trends including declining compensation and the loss of teachers’ autonomy raised the percentage of teachers leaving the profession to 10.5% after the 2010-11 school year, compared to 6.4% pre-Act 10. The bulk of teachers who immediately exited were older and left to claim their retirement benefits, which were set to be cut under Act 10.
However, the long-term effect of Act 10 on the teacher shortage remains unclear. In 2015-16, for example, the pace of teacher attrition dipped below pre-Act 10 levels in Wisconsin.
Teacher shortages are occurring nationwide. One study placed the number of teacher vacancies at over 36,000 nationally and 2,565 in Wisconsin.
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Sources
Center for American Progress: Attacks on public-sector unions harm states: How Act 10 has affected education in Wisconsin
Spectrum News: Teacher shortage part of Act 10 fallout
Wisconsin Policy Forum: Stay in school: An update on teacher workforce trends in metro Milwaukee
TeacherShortages.com: Teacher shortages in the United States
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