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Teacher Shortage

​California has been experiencing a shortage of teachers, especially in special education, bilingual education, and science, technology, engineering and technology, or STEM for some years. The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. EdSource is tracking how the shortage is impacting different districts and regions statewide. Many are working on aggressive tactics to recruit and retain teachers, including offering bonuses and other incentives, and building teacher “residency” programs.
Teacher Voices
January 3, 2022

A guide to making the California teacher shortage even worse

California's teacher preparation requirements, especially the cumbersome Induction process, are driving qualified teachers away.

Martin Blythe
Teacher Voices
December 28, 2021

Investing in teacher wellness has never been more critical

California must support teachers and invest in their well-being to halt the growing shortage.

Beatrice Viramontes
Student Well-Being
December 10, 2021

Thousands of California students still lack proof of vaccination despite deadlines

California school districts with strained independent study programs could be scrambling to find enough teachers for unvaccinated students.

Ali Tadayon
School Finance
October 18, 2021

Projected K-12 drops in enrollment pose immediate upheaval and decade-long challenge

Once past Covid disruptions, many school districts face a long-term predicament: budget cuts forced by projected declines in enrollment.

John Fensterwald
Coronavirus
October 15, 2021

Could new Covid testing and vaccine mandates make school staffing shortages in California worse?

School superintendents, already dealing with severe staff shortages, are concerned that testing and vaccine mandates could make matters worse.

Diana Lambert
Commentary
September 8, 2021

School districts must start adjusting their Covid recovery plans soon

California public schools must act now and think differently to close Covid-related staff shortages.

Robert Tagorda
Coronavirus
September 3, 2021

Covid closes rural California schools as Delta variant spreads

At least five rural schools temporarily closed this week to stop Covid outbreaks from spreading. More are planning to close next week.

Diana Lambert
Teacher Shortage
September 2, 2021

Substitute shortages so severe, some districts may have to temporarily close classrooms

California's already dire substitute shortage has become a crisis for some schools. Districts are responding by increasing salaries, asking parents for help.

Diana Lambert
Credentialing
July 16, 2021

California cuts the number of tests teachers must take to earn credential

California teacher candidates no longer have to take two of the four tests usually required to earn a teaching credential.

Diana Lambert
Commentary
July 1, 2021

Investing in our teachers is what our students need most

This is a pivotal opportunity for our state to proactively meet the demand for passionate, qualified teachers.

Donna Glassman-Sommer and Marvin Lopez
School Finance
June 29, 2021

Post-Covid California state budget with record spending on education heads to Gov. Newsom

College savings accounts, universal transitional kindergarten, new community schools, teacher recruitment incentives are a signature away.

EdSource staff
Commentary
June 24, 2021

Recruiting and retaining Black teachers takes more than money

Getting more Black men into the teaching profession requires substantial solutions and audacious reforms.

Ramona Bishop
Teacher Shortage
June 22, 2021

California school districts receive unprecedented windfall but lack teachers to help students catch up

A longstanding teacher shortage grew worse during the pandemic, and districts will have to decide which programs to staff and those they won't.

Diana Lambert
Bilingual Education
June 16, 2021

Why training California bilingual teachers just got harder

A program that prepares bilingual teachers for dual-language classrooms in California is set to end this month, potentially worsening a shortage.

Zaidee Stavely And Betty Márquez Rosales
Credentialing
June 3, 2021

Budget proposal would ease testing requirements for California teachers

California's legislators recommend approving a budget proposal that would reduce the number of tests required to earn a teaching credential.

Diana Lambert