The teacher shortage — driven by burnout, low pay and ever-increasing demands — is a slow-motion crisis that’s happening everywhere, and there’s no easy way to reverse it.

The wage gap between teachers and the rest of the comparably educated workforce was about 21% in 2018. That disparity was a much smaller 6% back in 1996, according to an analysis from the Economic Policy Institute, reports Axios’ Erica Pandey.

State of play: As the school year approaches, everything from eye-popping financial incentives to suspensions of licensing requirements remains on the table, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll bring in the people needed — let alone provide a good environment for students.

Des Moines Public Schools is offering a $50,000 incentive to teachers, nurses and administrators who are nearing retirement to stay with the district through the 2022-2023 school year.