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Every child in California deserves a qualified teacher
 

We have proven solutions to recruit, prepare, and retain more teachers in the Golden State
Teacher and Student
“California can and should do more to not only recruit and prepare a more diverse teacher workforce but also make the systemic changes necessary to ensure they remain in the profession and have opportunities to hone their craft to best support the diverse learning needs of all students.”

- Jessica Sawko, Director of Education at Children Now

A Roadmap for Comprehensive Reform

Addressing California's ongoing teacher shortage requires a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that affect how teachers enter, experience, and stay in the profession. The Every Child, Every Classroom: Lasting Solutions for California's Teacher Shortage policy brief presents a three-pronged approach to strengthening and sustaining the California teacher pipeline.

Hiring.png

RECRUIT

Policy recommendation overview:

  • Increase teacher pay to be competitive with other professions

  • Compensate teacher candidates during their training

  • Provide financial incentives for teaching in high-needs schools

  • Remove financial barriers to entering the profession

  • Create recruitment campaigns targeting more diverse teachers and hard-to-staff subject experts 

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Preparation.jpg

PREPARE

Policy recommendation overview:

  • Strengthen teacher preparation programs with evidence-based coursework

  • Expand high-quality teacher residency and apprenticeship programs

  • Ensure all teachers receive training in proven instructional methods

  • Create pathways for school staff to become credentialed teachers

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Retention.jpg

RETAIN

Policy recommendation overview:

  • Improve working conditions and provide ongoing professional development

  • Offer retention incentives for high-needs schools

  • Reduce class sizes and strengthen school leadership

  • Create career advancement opportunities for educators

California's Challenge

47,000

teachers in CA were not fully credentialed in 2022-23

(nearly 1 in 5)

1 in 10

CA teachers in high-needs schools are inexperienced 

(2 or less years in the classroom)

40%

more teachers in high-poverty schools lack necessary qualifications compared to higher-income schools

2x

as many teachers lack the proper subject matter credentials in high-poverty schools than in wealthier schools

Contributing Authors & Supporters

Male Teacher with Students

About Our Coalition

The following organizations have endorsed "Every Classroom, Every Child: Lasting Solutions for California's Teacher Shortage," a comprehensive policy brief outlining evidence-based strategies to support the state's recruitment, preparation, and retention efforts.

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Leaders of organizations across California have convened to share local and national data, research, and best practices informing the policy recommendations outlined in the brief.

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Together, these organizations are championing solutions that ensure students in our highest-need schools across the state have access to well-prepared educators.

Contributing Authors

The policy brief was written in partnership with the following organizations. 

Black Educator Advocates Network

Children Now

Diversity in Leadership Institute

Education Leaders of Color

Educators for Excellence, Los Angeles

EdVoice Institute

Ensemble Learning

Families In Schools

Innovate Public Schools

TeachStart

Supporting Organizations

The following organizations have endorsed this policy brief and align with its recommendations.

Alliance for a Better Community

California STEM Network, a Project of Children Now

Californians for Justice

Center for Black Educator Development

Children's Defense Fund CA

EdTrust-West

Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)

National Council on Teacher Quality

Partnership for Children & Youth

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools

Urban Ed Academy

Young Invincibles

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