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To fully grasp the complexities of education funding in the United States and understand why money matters, it is essential to examine the unique challenges American schools face, the costs associated with providing a high-quality education, and research on the impact of increasing and decreasing education funding.
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The 2023 California Mathematics Framework emphasizes deep content mastery, critical thinking, and problem-solving. School boards play a key role in adopting aligned instructional materials and supporting professional development to enhance teaching. What are necessary instructional shifts and how can governance teams drive effective professional learning to improve student outcomes?
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Low pay and high credentialing costs make it difficult to build a diverse, stable teacher workforce. Policies reducing student loan debt can ease financial barriers for teachers while improving recruitment and retention. Federal strategies, supported by state and local actions, can address these strains and strengthen the teaching profession.
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State leaders from California, Mississippi, New York, and Texas joined LPI to discuss their states’ approaches to tackling teacher workforce issues. Their experiences may offer lessons for other states seeking to use legislative actions and financial incentives to better prepare and retain educators.
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Currently, 34 states have policies that allow public funds to cover private school costs through the issuance of vouchers, and the U.S. Congress is considering legislation to create a tax credit for families who choose non-public schools. This tool analyzes public and private school distribution to provide information on where vouchers would likely be allocated.
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Claremont Graduate University’s residency program, which offers 100% online coursework, is built around a social justice approach and a classroom framework that centers relationships and interactions between and among students and teachers. Program participants have diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds and include a high proportion of first-generation college graduates.
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Alder Teacher Residency has evolved from an in-house program into California’s largest independent, residency-based educator preparation pathway, partnering with 47 local education agencies. With 97% of graduates rating the program effective and 95% securing full-time teaching positions, Alder maintains high standards by prioritizing equity, collaboration, and data-driven improvement.
Linda Darling-HammondJonathan KaplanMichael A. DiNapoli Jr.
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Recent NAEP data reveal widening achievement gaps, especially for the lowest-performing students. What’s the path forward? Research makes it clear: well-targeted investments boost outcomes, narrow disparities, and support long-term success.
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From strengthening early learning systems and tackling teacher shortages to advancing equitable school finance, LPI staff harness the power of research, collaboration, and communication to build an education system that serves every learner and transforms the ideals of equity and excellence into enduring realities for all.
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California’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), enacted in 2013, created a simpler and more equitable K-12 education finance system. Research indicates it has helped to improve student outcomes and points to challenges in its fiscal design and opportunities to strengthen it.
