Teacher Preparation

January 23, 2020

California moves closer to eliminating, replacing reading instruction test that has blocked thousands from teaching credential

Debate rages on about how to measure a teacher candidate’s ability to teach reading.

January 10, 2020

Amid shortages, schools settle for underprepared special education teachers

The number of new special education teachers working without a full credential hit 5,196 in 2017-18 — the highest number in a decade.

November 22, 2019

California is poised to confront high proportions of underqualified teachers in low-income schools

Uncredentialed teachers are concentrated where students struggle academically; the State Board may soon have data to support a teacher equity index.

October 25, 2019

California rural schools struggling to hire teachers could get help from $9.4 million in grants

Two federal grants will help California recruit teachers and mental health professionals to rural schools.

August 1, 2019

California State University adds $10 million to boost math and science teacher preparation in California

Added funding will help recruit and provide financial support for students, as well as create new credential pathways.

July 9, 2019

Teacher hopefuls offered $10,000 to enter California State University residency program

Three hundred students will be selected for the CSU Residency Year Service Scholarship Program next school year.

May 23, 2019

California considers overhauling test of reading instruction for teachers in training

The test is outdated and there is no evidence that it contributes to more effective instruction.

January 21, 2019

Required tests roadblock for many aspiring California teachers

Almost half of California’s potential teachers quit the profession before they even start because they can't pass one or more of the tests required for them to earn a credential, making it more difficult for the state to put a dent in a persistent teacher shortage.

Diana Lambert

January 13, 2019

Will we step up for California public schools in 2019?

Former California secretary of education suggests 10 ways to help schools succeed.

Glen Thomas

October 29, 2018

California school districts make new investments in teacher evaluation

San Juan Unified is one of the California school districts making investments in its teacher evaluation system. The district adopted a System of Professional Growth in 2016 that focuses on feedback and mentoring of teachers who are being evaluated.

Diana Lambert

August 15, 2018

California gets high grade in measuring teachers’ reading instruction skills

Linda Darling-Hammond, chair of teacher credentialing commission, calls the state assessment out of date and not a good predictor of classroom performance.

John Fensterwald

April 24, 2018

Rural schools find ways to bring science innovations closer to home

Mobile science labs, Skype lessons with scientists and robotics workshops are among the offerings at some remote schools.

Carolyn Jones

February 20, 2018

Teacher shortages persist in California and getting worse in many communities

A new report from the Learning Policy Institute says new state initiatives to recruit and retain teachers will take three to five years to yield results.

Louis Freedberg

January 11, 2018

Funding, teacher training top educators' wish lists for science education in 2018

High-quality training in the new science standards needs to be a priority for districts in 2018, some leading educators say.