LPI In the News

EdSurge by Stephen Noonoo | Long Beach Unified, one of California’s largest school districts, is having issues finding qualified teachers and substitutes. This article, featuring LPI research and commentary from Desiree Carver-Thomas and Michael DiNapoli, explores teacher pipeline problems across the state of California, the impact of COVID-19, and potential solutions.

VPM NPR by Ian M. Stewart | Teacher shortages have been long-standing in the educator workforce. Although the exact number of teachers who have left the profession is still being calculated, significant COVID-related teacher shortages are predicted. “We've seen some early signs that pandemic teaching conditions could accelerate people leaving the profession either looking for different work or retiring early,” says LPI's Michael DiNapoli.

Nova Escola by Victor Santos | “In addition, of course, to strengthening the teaching profession. . . educators need more confidence and more support in their work,” says Maria E. Hyler. This article explores how COVID-19 has created challenges and new priorities for teaching and learning, especially in teacher education and training.

Teen Vogue by Emma Sarran Webster | Teen Vogue explores affirmative action amidst the reignited debate about higher education admissions policies. Peter W. Cookson, Jr. offers perspective: “The people who [had] benefited by...higher education admissions policies had been essentially white males, particularly if they had a legacy,” he said. “[Affirmative action] was an attempt to bring equity and equal opportunity to the admissions process.”

The Economist | This article exploring the educational inequities students of color have experienced during the pandemic points to an LPI blog by Michael Griffith and Allie Pearce highlighting the need for high-functioning HVAC systems. “10m pupils and 1m public school employees face heightened exposure to COVID-19 as a result of defunct ventilation systems in public schools.”

POLITICO by Nicole Gaudiano | In this school reopening overview, Mike Griffith shares perspective on how state budgets influence reopening plans. "If there are deeper cuts and no additional federal aid, the concern is that states will look to education budgets for additional funding," he said.

EdSource by Carolyn Jones | This article highlights an LPI report written by Naomi Ondrasek, Desiree Carver-Thomas, Caitlin Scott, and Linda Darling-Hammond on the state’s special education teacher shortage. It notes that, "As the pandemic has drawn more attention to the needs of students in special education, [California] is moving forward with changes to teacher preparation programs intended to improve learning conditions for California’s nearly 800,000 students with special needs.” 

District Administration by Charles Hendrix | In this interview, Michael Griffith explores the financial challenges states and district face due to to COVID-19-related drops in state and local revenues. "Some districts have been forced to 'tap into' their budgets or their reserve funds to cover the increase in expenses," Griffith said. 

Education Week by Denisa R. Superville | Research has found that high-quality professional learning opportunities for principals—including preparation programs, induction supports for early career principals, ongoing training, one-on-one support through coaching and mentoring, and peer networks—can build leadership capacity. This Education Week article highlights key findings from an LPI and NAESP report written by Stephanie Levin, Melanie Leung, Adam K. Edgerton, and Caitlin Scott exploring the current status and future needs for elementary school principals’ professional learning.

The Washington Post by Valerie Strauss | “No one working in government today has ever dealt with the financial impact of a pandemic.” This article from The Washington Post highlights the factors contributing to the strain on school budgets due to COVID-19, as well as federal and state action to mitigate that strain. This article also features an LPI blog by Michael Griffith and William Berry.