Fact Sheets

January 26, 2017 | School districts throughout California are experiencing teacher shortages at alarming rates, according to the results of a Fall 2016 survey conducted by the Learning Policy Institute and the California School Boards Association. Seventy-five percent of districts responding reported shortages, with 81% saying the problem is getting worse. This fact sheet provides an overview of survey results, including information about shortage areas and district responses to the teacher shortage.

November 30, 2016 | Many districts face teacher shortages that threaten their ability to deliver a quality education to all children. Rather than implementing short-term fixes that often rely on underprepared or out-of-field teachers, policymakers at all levels should look to the research for strategies that are effective at building a high-quality and sustainable teaching workforce. This fact sheet, based on a comprehensive review of the research on teacher recruitment and retention policies, identifies district policies that can ease shortages, while also prioritizing student learning and a strong teacher workforce.

October 26, 2016 | Providing all students with excellent educators is one of the most important drivers of a well-functioning education system—a system that must prepare diverse students to participate in today’s knowledge-driven economy. However, many states are facing a teacher shortage that threatens their ability to deliver a quality education to all children. Shortages are most severe in certain fields (special education, math, science, and bilingual education) and in high-poverty districts and schools, where students most need highly skilled teachers.

June 29, 2016 | During the 2015–16 fiscal year, states invested nearly $7 billion in programs for our country’s youngest learners. This fact sheet summarizes the lessons learned by a review and analysis of how states can design, fund, and manage investments to assure high-quality preschool. The original report looked at how four states built quality early education systems with strong outcomes.