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This brief from EdPrepLab explores how integrating play as both a mindset and a pedagogical approach can strengthen teacher preparation and influence how candidates design learning experiences for their PreK–12 students.
Linda Darling-HammondJulie FitzMaría Virginia GianiMolly F. GordonMarjorie Wechsler
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
Linda Darling-HammondJulie FitzMaría Virginia GianiMolly F. GordonMarjorie Wechsler
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
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Public schools face mounting challenges, including student mental health, chronic absenteeism, academic achievement, and teacher shortages. Yet the principal's impact is often overlooked. Effective leadership strengthens instruction, builds positive climate, and stabilizes the workforce. Investing in principal preparation, support, and retention is a powerful strategy for improving outcomes and advancing equity.
Susan Kemper PatrickChazz HigginbothamRyan SaundersTiffany S. TanSteve Wojcikiewicz
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Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify those districts and understand the local contexts that might encourage hiring and retention of certified teachers. These findings are especially relevant in the context of newly passed state legislation enabling a significant financial investment in retaining and recruiting credentialed teachers.
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Investing in school principals may be the highest-leverage strategy to address education's most pressing challenges — from teacher retention to student achievement. Strong preparation, ongoing professional development, and better working conditions help principals build the thriving schools every student deserves.
Susan Kemper PatrickChazz HigginbothamRyan SaundersTiffany S. TanSteve Wojcikiewicz
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Texas is navigating high teacher attrition and relying on uncertified teachers who can fill vacancies quickly. While the share of uncertified teachers tripled across the state between 2019–20 and 2024–25, some districts maintained high rates of certified teachers. This study sought to identify those districts and understand the local contexts that might encourage hiring and retention of certified teachers. These findings are especially relevant in the context of newly passed state legislation enabling a significant financial investment in retaining and recruiting credentialed teachers.
This year, EdPrepLab’s Spring Convening invites participants to explore community-engaged educator preparation as a responsive approach to strengthening local relationships, elevating essential histories, and generating transformative possibilities for teaching, learning, and leading.
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Oakland High School has reimagined learning by integrating a community schools model, Linked Learning pathways, dual enrollment, and comprehensive student supports. Grounded in strong relationships and community connections, this approach has expanded engaging, real-world learning opportunities while improving student achievement, graduation rates, and teacher retention.
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Lynwood Unified's deep community roots, existing network of health partners, emphasis on social emotional learning, and focus on building coordinator capacity enabled rapid districtwide implementation. Within two years, all 17 schools became community schools, yielding significant gains in student achievement, attendance, school climate, and family engagement.
