Topic

Teachers

The emerging shortage of teachers in a growing number of districts and subject areas has cast a cold light on the numerous challenges facing the teaching profession. These include salaries that are much lower than those in jobs or professions that require as much or less academic preparation, an expectation that teachers can mitigate the impact of income levels and neighborhood conditions on academic performance, and the dwindling amount to time teachers have for professional learning and collaboration with other teachers. EdSource examines these challenges — and what can be done to overcome them.

Student Well-Being

August 10, 2022

What’s new this school year? Changing Covid protocols, universal TK, later start times and more

California's school year will begin with fewer Covid protocols, universal transitional kindergarten, more afterschool programs and community schools, and later start times for older students.

Diana Lambert

Credentialing

August 4, 2022

Poorer students still get the least qualified teachers, but California has made progress

There are 40% more teachers in poor schools who lack the required qualifications than in the richest schools, an EdSource analysis found.

Diana Lambert, John Fensterwald, And Daniel J. Willis

Credentialing

August 4, 2022

Oakland, with among lowest ratio of fully prepared, rightly assigned teachers, has a strategy to address teacher churn

The district is hoping a "grow your own" approach to recruiting teaching candidates from the community will pay dividends OUSD. But living costs are high, and nearby districts can compete with offer higher salaries.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

August 3, 2022

We're not giving teachers what they need to support their English learners

California teachers say textbooks and other instructional material lack the context and cultural relevance needed to support English learners.

Renae Skarin and William Zahner

Math and Science

July 29, 2022

Despite divisions, math framework must be a 'North Star,' experts say

EdSource roundtable focuses on the details and controversy surrounding state's proposed new math guidelines.

Carolyn Jones

Math and Science

July 26, 2022

Deep divisions, further delay for California’s math guidelines

Detractors and supporters disagree on whether teaching standards through “big ideas” and creating new high school pathways will achieve more equitable outcomes for all students.

John Fensterwald

Teacher Voices

July 18, 2022

We need less summer, more vacation

The ten-week summer results in long, brutal stretches during both the fall and spring without any meaningful break from school.

Heath Madom

Teacher Survey Project

July 13, 2022

California teachers share their challenges and worries: Teaching during Covid

The nonprofit Inverness Institute interviewed veteran teachers about life in the classroom during another difficult year impacted by a pandemic; two principals involved with the study sum up the findings in an interview with EdSource's John Fensterwald.

John Fensterwald

Credentialing

June 30, 2022

Nearly 1 out of 5 classes in California taught by underprepared teachers

A new state database of teacher assignments shows that 17% of K-12 classes in 2020-21 were taught by teachers without the credential or training to teach the course.

Diana Lambert, Daniel J. Willis, And Yuxuan Xie

Data

June 30, 2022

Find your school's teacher qualifications | Database

Database shows percentage of classes taught by teachers with the different qualifications.

Daniel J. Willis

Commentary

June 29, 2022

Equitable, inclusive parent communication is key to helping students thrive

Parents who do not have smartphones and personal computers need to have the same access to their children’s teachers as parents with the latest technology.

Russ Davis

Bilingual Education

June 24, 2022

California to boost number of bilingual teachers in Asian languages

School districts struggle to hire bilingual teachers in all languages, but the shortage is more severe for teachers fluent in Asian languages.

Zaidee Stavely

Commentary

June 22, 2022

California must invest in science and math instruction in the state budget now

Funding to train teachers and build school districts' capacity to provide high-quality instruction in math and science is a priority in Gov. Gavin Newsom's budget, but not in the Legislature's. The governor is right.

Christopher J. Nellum, Peter A’Hearn and Shari Dickstein-Staub

Credentialing

June 17, 2022

California to create teaching credential covering pre-K through 3rd grade that requires literacy training

State commission hopes new credential will help attract thousands of teachers for transitional kindergarten; literacy advocates press for strong literacy standards.

John Fensterwald

Commentary

June 13, 2022

With pressures on teachers at a boiling point, California needs new pathways into the profession

For long-term and lasting solutions, we must attract more young people to enter the teaching profession and give them the training and support they need to succeed.