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The first years of a child’s life provide a foundation for long-term health and well-being. As states consider policy proposals to update credential or degree requirements for early childhood educators, they can look to promising programs and state policies that recruit and prepare diverse cohorts of educators to teach in early childhood education programs. This report includes case studies of distinct approaches offering innovative, affordable pathways to preparation for diverse candidates.
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Two studies create a through line from children to practitioners to policy, describing the essential skills required for young children to be kindergarten ready, the skills educators need to teach them, and effective policies and practices for early educator preparation.
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How are California school districts and counties impacted by the state’s persistent teacher shortages? An interactive map enables policymakers, advocates, parents, caregivers, and others to answer that question by exploring data in critical areas, such as the percentage of teachers on substandard credentials, the share of beginning teachers, and the rates of teacher turnover—a critical factor driving shortages.
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The country’s crushing student loan debt—which has tripled since 2006—is causing shortages of well-prepared professionals in key public sectors, including teaching. The rising cost of education coupled with the fact that teachers earn, on average, 30% less than their peers is causing crippling teacher shortages. Policymakers can play a critical role in addressing college affordability in order to clear a path for well-prepared teachers to enter the profession.
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The Journal of Professional Capital and Community article, published in 2019, expands on the initial LPI report by situating the study within broader theories of human capital in the economic literature and discussing the implications of the findings for teachers’ professional development, school leadership, policy, and research.
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The teaching profession requires continuous learning and California's Instructional Leadership Corps was developed to address that need. The ILC is changing the paradigm for teacher learning by tapping the expertise and experience of local teachers, principals, and superintendents who have the training and support to lead ongoing professional development to peers in their own districts and in other schools and districts in their regions.
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What skills and competencies do early childhood educators need in order to provide high-quality early learning experiences? What essential skills should children master before entering kindergarten? The Early Childhood Essentials framework answers these questions based on an analysis of relevant research. It is a must-read for local and state decision-makers looking to build and expand high-quality early learning programs.
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Based on the report, Early Childhood Essentials: A Framework for Aligning Child Skills and Educator Competencies, this fact sheet presents the skills children should have upon entering kindergarten and the skills and competencies early educators need to support effective learning experiences. Providing leaders with a fundamental understanding of early childhood education will help them make informed decisions to ensure educators have the resources they need to provide every child with the opportunity to enter school ready to thrive.
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In an era of landmark education reforms and investments, a number of California school districts are achieving extraordinary results with students across racial and socioeconomic groups. These districts used complex, systematic approaches that were closely tailored to their communities’ needs and promoted opportunities for all young people to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication competencies—often referred to as “deeper learning” skills.
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High quality principals are essential to students' educational opportunities and outcomes, but principal turnover is an ongoing problem in the United States. A 2017 survey of public school principals found that approximately 18% had left their position since the previous year. In high poverty schools, the turnover rate was 21%. This brief includes insights, experiences, and expertise from school leaders on the challenges associated with being a school principal and strategies to address those challenges.
