An increasing number of American states have identified teacher shortages as a major problem. In some states, there is especially a great need for teachers of special education, science and math. In others, schools are not finding enough qualified language teachers. In general, the U.S. has seen increased demand for teachers in recent years. Student numbers have risen, even as many school systems sought to reduce overall number of students per teacher. Shortages have largely been blamed on low pay rates for U.S. teachers. The issue has caused some to leave for better paying professions, while fewer people are choosing to become teachers. The non-profit Learning Policy Institute reported a 35 percent drop in the U.S. of people studying to be teachers between 2009 and 2014. The group estimated that in 2016, the number of available teachers had reached a 10-year low.