TK staffing shortages improved: TK assistant teacher vacancies fell from 12% to 3%, and 91% of LEAs reported enough lead teachers meeting 2025–26 requirements¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person · recheck by 2030: baselines and conditions change

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Only 1% of TK lead teacher positions and 3% of TK assistant teacher positions were vacant at the start of 2023–24, the latter down from 12% the prior year. → Wang 2025

Evidence¶

Wang 2025¶

Wang, V., Melnick, H., Leung-Gagné, M., Parker, S., & Wechsler, M. (2025). California's universal prekindergarten implementation progress, 2023–24. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/600.551

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Statewide LEA survey reported in the Staffing TK Classrooms section and Figures 4–5. The report also states 91% of LEAs reported enough TK lead teachers who will meet the 24-unit early childhood coursework and credential requirements taking effect in 2025–26.

"Only 1% of TK lead teacher positions were vacant at the beginning of the 2023–24 school year, similar to the 2022–23 vacancy rate. Additionally, the vacancy rate for TK assistant teachers at the beginning of 2023–24 was 3%, notably less than the 12% vacancy rate at the beginning of the 2022–23 school year."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Staffing challenges persisted for state preschool and Head Start classrooms, with vacancy rates of 5% and 11% that increased from the prior year — related
• TK staffing needs grew with expansion while vacancy rates held steady, but LEAs projected nearly 2,400 additional assistant teachers for 2025–26 — related
• U.S. teacher shortages are nationwide and worsening, with over 300,000 positions unfilled or filled by uncertified teachers in 2023 — related
• California's universal TK expansion will require an additional 11,900 to 15,600 credentialed teachers with early childhood expertise by 2025–26 — related
• Approximately four fifths of LEAs reported not having enough qualified staff to teach TK — reports the opposite
• California LEAs reported sufficient fully qualified TK lead teachers in 2022–23 but high second-adult vacancies, and projected needing 1,489 more TK lead teachers and 962 more aides in 2023–24 — related
• Teacher shortages disproportionately impact students in priority and highest-need California schools, which have fewer fully credentialed and more inexperienced teachers — related
• California will need at least 16,000 to 19,700 assistant TK teachers by 2025–26 under one-lead-one-assistant staffing — related
• California LEAs reported sufficient classroom space for projected UPK enrollment overall, yet facilities were the most cited implementation challenge, followed by staffing and sustainable funding — related