All Resources

How states experience the teacher shortage depends on their unique mix of policies, conditions, and even cost of living. This interactive map provides a state-by-state look at key indicators of teacher supply and demand and the equitable distribution of teachers. States and the District of Columbia receive a teaching attractiveness rating, based on compensation, teacher turnover, working conditions, and qualifications, and a teacher equity rating, based on the distribution of uncertified and inexperienced teachers.

The teacher residency model holds much promise to address the issues of recruitment and retention in high-need districts and subject area shortages. This model also has the potential to support systemic change and building of the teaching profession, especially in the most challenging districts. Initial research is promising as to the impact residencies can have on increasing the diversity of the teaching force, improving retention of new teachers, and promoting gains in student learning.

High rates of teacher turnover contribute to shortages and undermine academic progress. This report reviews an extensive body of research on teacher recruitment and retention, identifies key factors that influence decisions to enter, stay in, or leave the profession, and offers evidence-based recommendations for local, state, and federal policymakers.

Considerable research exists on the elements of high-quality early childhood education and its many benefits, particularly for low-income children and English learners, but little information is available to policymakers about how to enact their visions of good pre-k programs. This report fills that gap by describing and analyzing how four states—Michigan, West Virginia, Washington, and North Carolina—have built high-quality early education systems.

Read a summary of case studies of high-quality early education programs in four states: Michigan, West Virginia, Washington, and North Carolina. This analysis is based on reviews of policy documents, studies, and data in each state, as well as observations of programs and interviews with policymakers, program administrators, providers, teachers, parents, advocates, and researchers.

During the 2015–16 fiscal year, states invested nearly $7 billion in programs for our country’s youngest learners. This fact sheet summarizes the lessons learned by a review and analysis of how states can design, fund, and manage investments to assure high-quality preschool. The original report looked at how four states built quality early education systems with strong outcomes. 

Do teachers, on average, continue to improve in their effectiveness as they gain experience in the teaching profession? This review of research finds that teaching experience is, on average, positively associated with student achievement gains throughout a teacher’s career, especially in collaborative school environments.