Reports

A severe special education teacher shortage threatens the ability to improve outcomes for students with disabilities, who often have the greatest needs but receive the least expert teachers. LPI researchers review the factors contributing to special education teacher turnover and provide evidence-based policy strategies aimed at resolving the shortage.

Access to fully certified and experienced teachers matters for student outcomes and achievement, yet many states have hired uncertified and inexperienced teachers to fill gaps created by persistent teacher shortages. These teachers are disproportionately found in schools with high enrollments of students of color, according to LPI analysis of the most recent U.S. Department of Education Civil Rights Data Collection, which has proposed cutting key data collection questions related to school funding and educator experience.

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.

A hallmark of deeper learning is students’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations and complex problems. Big Picture Learning, Internationals Network for Public Schools, and New Tech Network have successfully instantiated, sustained, and spread deeper learning practices in ways that advance equity in schools across the nation. A deep look into their systems and structures reveals common threads, including rethinking structures and relationships in schools, collaboration, professional learning, leadership development, and continual improvement.

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.

A hallmark of deeper learning is students’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations and complex problems. Big Picture Learning has successfully instantiated, sustained, and spread deeper learning practices in ways that advance equity in schools across the nation. This deep look into its systems and structures reveals how the network and its leaders have consistently been responsive to communities and local conditions, which allows network-affiliated schools to take on a distinct character while maintaining fidelity to Big Picture Learning's deeper learning focus.

A hallmark of deeper learning is students’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations and complex problems. Internationals Network, a network of schools specifically for English learners, has successfully instantiated, sustained, and spread deeper learning practices in ways that advance equity in schools across the nation. This deep look into its systems and structures shows how the network and its leaders are raising expectations and outcomes for English learners.

A hallmark of deeper learning is students’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations and complex problems. New Tech Network has successfully instantiated deeper learning practices in many geographically, politically, and socioeconomically diverse school settings. This deep look into its systems and structures shows how the network has spread its practices to many traditionally structured, public school districts across the country.

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.

Most students at New York’s Bronxdale High School enter 9th grade achieving well below proficiency levels on standardized tests, yet they end up outperforming their peers and city averages in credit accrual, graduation rates, and enrollment in postsecondary education. Educators at Bronxdale teach the way students learn best by tightly weaving  social and emotional skills and academic mindsets with academic learning in a safe, caring and collaborative learning environment.