PHOENIX — Arizona schools are facing a teacher shortage, and the problem is only getting worse.

More than 1,000 teachers have quit in just four months, according to an Arizona Department of Education study.

“It is a crisis because we’re losing more teachers than are coming into the profession. So, that’s a real crisis," said State Schools Chief Tom Horne.

In addition, 52,913 certified teachers in the state are serving in positions outside of a classroom or may not be working within education, according to Horne's office.

He tells 12News that a $10,000 raise per teacher will help solve the problem.

He said state Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, has pushed for that, but it has not passed.

“That would have put us in the top 10 for starting salaries," Horne said.

The average starting pay for

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