New Report from EdVoice Institute Proposes Evidence-Based Solutions to Recruit, Prepare, and Retain California Teachers

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, EdVoice Institute, together with 21 organizations – representing students, educators, parents, community members, and advocates across California – released “Every Classroom, Every Child: Lasting Solutions for California’s Teacher Shortage”, a comprehensive policy brief outlining evidence-based strategies to address California’s persistent teacher shortage crisis that disproportionately impacts students from high-needs schools.

The brief reveals stark disparities in teacher quality across California’s schools: nearly 1 in 5 teachers statewide were not fully credentialed in 2022-23, with high-poverty schools experiencing 40% more unqualified teachers than higher-income schools. Students from low-income communities are twice as likely to be taught by teachers who lack full credentials in their subject area, inexperienced educators, and under-prepared teachers.

“Research shows that teachers are the single most important school-based factor in student success, which is why we must support them at every stage of their careers,” said Marshall Tuck, CEO of EdVoice Institute. “California can only deliver on its promise to give every child a high quality education if we have well-prepared teachers in every classroom.”

California’s Teacher Crisis by the Numbers

• 1 in 5 teachers statewide (47,000) were not fully credentialed in 2022-23
• 40% more teachers in high-poverty schools lack necessary qualifications compared to higher-income schools
• Teacher shortages are most severe in hard-to-staff subjects including math, science, bilingual education, and special education

“Every child deserves a well-prepared teacher every year of their schooling,” said Jessica Sawko, Director of Education at Children Now. “However, this is not the reality for too many of our kids from low-income families and living in marginalized communities. 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.”

A Roadmap for Comprehensive Reform

The policy brief presents policy recommendations – grounded in research and evidence – to strengthen California’s teaching profession. The brief outlines recommendations using a three-pronged approach: Recruitment, Preparation and Retention.

Specifically, the brief outlines policies to:

• Improve recruitment efforts and teacher compensation.
• Enhance teacher preparation programs and expand teacher preparation pathways.
• Implement retention policies that address working conditions and professional development.

Moving Beyond Temporary Fixes

While California has implemented certain teacher workforce initiatives – like the Golden State Teacher Grant and Teacher Residency programs – these efforts fall short of addressing the scale of the crisis. Many programs rely on one-time budget allocations and most sunset by 2027.

“Nationwide, only 28% of educators believe the teaching profession is sustainable, and this is mirrored in California’s struggle to retain educators in the classroom,” said Megan Bart, Deputy Director of Campaigns at E4E-LA. “This problem will not go away on its own. California must prioritize addressing the teaching profession, championing sustained investments informed by data, research, and need to build a diverse, stable, and effective educator workforce.”

The full policy brief is available at: edvoiceinstitute.org/teacher-shortage-solutions-policy-brief/

The following 21 organizations have endorsed this policy brief and align with its recommendations:

Contributing Authors

Black Educator Advocates Network

Children Now

Diversity in Leadership Institute

Education Leaders of Color

Educators for Excellence, Los Angeles

Ensemble Learning

Families In Schools

Innovate Public Schools

TeachStart

Supporting Organizations

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