Melanie Leung-GagnéSusan Kemper PatrickEmma García
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Where are the best places to teach in the United States? The worst? State profiles, drawn from more than 40 indicators, show that conditions such as salaries, working environment, and resources vary substantially from state to state and have significant impacts on attractiveness and equitable student access to well-prepared teachers.
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Teacher shortages continue to be a huge issue in many states. Yet states differ in their education policies and in the ways that teachers are prepared, compensated, and supported. These differences can result in dramatically different levels of student access to a diverse, stable, and well-qualified educator workforce.
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In the past 20 years, California policy around instruction, funding, and support of English learners has significantly changed. These shifts—from more rigorous teacher preparation to increased funding and the introduction of transitional kindergarten—have likely impacted students’ academic achievements, English proficiency, and other outcomes over time.
Victoria WangMelanie Leung-GagnéHanna MelnickMarjorie Wechsler
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California’s ambitious commitment in 2021 to expand universal PreK for all 4-year-olds and income-eligible 3-year-olds by 2025–26 is making progress. Evidence provides insights into implementation related to service delivery models, facilities and transportation, instruction and assessment, supporting student needs, workforce development, and technical assistance needs.
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Stateline by Elaine S. Povich | Many states that are working towards universal preK, but only serve a fraction of the children who are eligible. Barriers to universal uptake include limited awareness, staffing shortages, and families’ lack of access to before- and after-care for their preschoolers.
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Integrated learning environments can lead to academic and social benefits for children, yet most early childhood education programs are remarkably segregated due to both neighborhood segregation and policy decisions. New research shows how state policymakers can design policies that foster integration rather than segregation.
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The Hill by Lexi Lonas | This article examines the trend of teachers taking a second job over summer break. Emma García notes that the full set of reasons for this trend is unknown, but one likely driver is financial reasons, particularly for teachers burdened by student loan debt.
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Summer programs, whether focused on academic acceleration, enrichment, or career development, help support the whole child during the months when school isn’t in session. States play a key role and can take actions to strengthen and sustain summer programs, from empowering leaders and engaging coalitions to ensuring sustainable funding and equitable access.
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COVID-related federal recovery funds enabled many states to invest at unprecedented levels in summer learning programs, creating opportunities to learn from the initiatives developed during this funding window. Discover how three states implemented summer learning initiatives designed around academic acceleration, enrichment, and career development.
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Research on emergency hires of teachers during the pandemic highlights challenges in teacher effectiveness and retention. Investing in well-funded, high-retention pathways like teacher residencies can support a diverse, well-prepared teaching force, addressing teacher shortages and improving student outcomes in the long run.
