Briefs

November 10, 2020 | In the fall of 2019, hundreds of thousands of California’s students were learning in classrooms staffed by teachers who were not fully certified. Shortages vary across the state and by subject and are likely to be further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a number of policy solutions have the potential to mitigate ongoing shortages.

October 27, 2020 | “Positive outlier” districts in California have excelled at helping African American, Latino/a, and White students achieve at high levels on assessments of academic standards in English language arts and mathematics. Case studies of seven of these districts indicate that districts can develop leaders by identifying leadership talent from among teachers and cultivating their talent to enable some to move into principalships and central office positions.

October 15, 2020 | Some districts in California are beating the odds when it comes to supporting student success across all demographics. Developing and retaining high-quality teachers is one strategy these districts use. This brief looks at lessons learned from the strategies these districts use.

October 13, 2020 | Performance assessments are a strategy to improve educational outcomes, but relatively little research examines the key conditions needed to support the implementation of high-quality performance assessments at the district, school, and classroom levels. Initiatives in three California school districts—Los Angeles, Oakland, and Pasadena—provide lessons learned and showcase the role districts can play in facilitating the effective use of performance assessments.

August 28, 2020 | To chart a path forward as the nation grapples with the impact of a global pandemic and systemic racism, federal policymakers can advance research-based policies that have been shown to foster equity and opportunity. This resource describes key policies that can help accelerate efforts to ensure that all young people have equal access to a high-quality, world-class education.

July 17, 2020 | Community schools are an evidence-based approach to advance whole child education by offering integrated student supports, expanded and enriched learning time, family and community engagement, and collaborative leadership and practices. Local government and nonprofit agencies in two California counties—Los Angeles and Alameda—have effectively provided technical assistance to support community school initiatives. Evidence shows that technical assistance from county offices and nonprofit agencies can be a powerful element of successful community schools.

May 15, 2020 | Schools across the United States canceled in-person classes beginning in March 2020 to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many states and districts, school buildings are closed for the duration of the school year. Policymakers and school leaders are making plans to reopen schools for the next academic year, and some are preparing to do so sooner. To reopen schools safely, state and district leaders will need to address several important health considerations.

May 14, 2020 | While teacher shortages are an increasingly critical issue in the United States, a lesser known but equally important shortage is also hampering the country’s efforts to provide quality educational opportunities for students — principal shortages. Nearly one in five principals leave their schools each year and the average tenure of a principal is only about four years.

February 18, 2020 | The field of special education has long been plagued by persistent shortages of fully prepared teachers. New LPI research finds that the high turnover of special education teachers is associated with such issues as inadequate preparation, professional development, overwhelming workload, low compensation, and inadequate support. What can policymakers do to address this shortage and help recruit, prepare, support, and retain these teachers?

December 10, 2019 | Three California-based programs offer promising models for recruiting and preparing diverse cohorts of early educators through innovative and affordable pathways. These successful programs provide valuable lessons for policymakers and others interested in ensuring that all children have teachers who meet high standards and reflect the racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of students and their families.