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An estimated 410,000-plus teaching positions—representing 1 in 8 of all teaching positions nationally—are either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for their assignments, based on the most recent state-reported data. Because of variations in state policies, the severity of shortages and access to well-qualified teachers differs greatly from state to state.
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As a supplement to the State Teacher Shortages 2025 Update tool, this analyses includes data on the number of states reporting shortages by teaching area (i.e., special education, science, mathematics, language arts, etc.).
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California State University, Bakersfield, operates a consortium of seven teacher residency programs, each partnering with one or more local education agencies. Researchers examined the Kern Urban Teacher Residency and the Teacher Residency for Rural Education to understand how residency models can be modified to meet the needs of both large urban and small rural districts.
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Teacher residencies offer an approach to address teacher shortages while improving teacher preparation. Through robust financial and educational support, residencies attract diverse candidates who stay in teaching. Five effective California programs yield policy recommendations, including strategies for designing and funding sustainable, affordable programs that support candidates.
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Low pay and high credentialing costs make it difficult to build a diverse, stable teacher workforce. Policies reducing student loan debt can ease financial barriers for teachers while improving recruitment and retention. Federal strategies, supported by state and local actions, can address these strains and strengthen the teaching profession.
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State leaders from California, Mississippi, New York, and Texas joined LPI to discuss their states’ approaches to tackling teacher workforce issues. Their experiences may offer lessons for other states seeking to use legislative actions and financial incentives to better prepare and retain educators.
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Claremont Graduate University’s residency program, which offers 100% online coursework, is built around a social justice approach and a classroom framework that centers relationships and interactions between and among students and teachers. Program participants have diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds and include a high proportion of first-generation college graduates.
Wesley WeiEmma GarcíaMichael A. DiNapoli Jr.Susan Kemper PatrickMelanie Leung-Gagné
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Building a diverse, stable teacher workforce is challenged by low pay and high credentialing costs. Policies reducing student loan debt can ease financial barriers for teachers while improving recruitment and retention. Federal strategies, supported by state and local actions, can address these strains and strengthen the teaching profession.
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California has recently invested over $1 billion in targeted strategies to address teacher shortages. These efforts aim to expand the teacher pipeline in critical areas, make preparation programs more affordable and accessible, and attract well-prepared educators to high-need schools. Data indicate these programs are helping to build the pipeline.
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California's strategies to address teacher shortages and strengthen the teacher workforce include the Teacher Residency Grant Program, Golden State Teacher Grant Program, and National Board Certified Teacher Incentive Program. Data on these strategies show early signs of improvement, but consistent and reliable funding is needed to continue the momentum.
