The Arizona School Personnel Administrators Association released a survey Monday showing more than 30% of teacher vacancies in the state are unfulfilled. 

The state has faced teacher shortages for years, and since 2016, nearly a quarter of teacher vacancies have been left unfilled.

And nearly 50% of the vacancies that have been filled are covered by teachers who do not meet the state’s certification requirements. 

The association says despite raises for teacher salaries, Arizona is among the lowest paying states in the nation.

One hundred and forty-three school districts and charter schools participated in the survey focusing on vacancies and teacher employment in January this year.