Sustain and expand California's teacher workforce investments: continued GSTG funding, residency sustainability, NBCT uptake studies, and better program data¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 4 claims (2 for, 2 mixed) · 3 studies (3 associational), q2 · 0 of 3 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The report's policy recommendations call for continuing the three flagship investments beyond their one-time appropriations. It recommends the state "Ensure continued funding for Golden State Teacher Grants" because funds are "likely to be exhausted before they expire in 2026," plan strategic sustainability and expansion for launched residencies, support ongoing NBCT uptake and impact studies, and gather and report additional data on all workforce programs so policymakers can understand participant characteristics, completion, and staffing outcomes.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Continued state funding, since the programs were funded with one-time appropriations during years of surplus and most will end within a year or two unless renewed

Constraints¶

• Data on the state's teacher workforce investments are currently limited, limiting evaluation of use and impact

Target Learners¶

• Teacher candidates in preparation programs
• Students in priority and high-need California schools

Target Learning Goals¶

• Increasing the supply of fully credentialed teachers in shortage fields
• Equitable distribution of well-prepared teachers to high-need schools

Claims¶

• Most survey respondents said the GSTG influenced their decision to pursue teaching, complete preparation, and teach in a priority school, with strongest perceived impacts among candidates of color [+W]
• Most grant-funded residency programs have not yet broadened funding sources or adopted cost-reduction strategies beyond the one-time grant [~W]
• GSTG recipients report teaching in high-need schools and shortage subjects, with most intending to stay after their service obligation [+W]
• TRGP-funded residents represent a small fraction of California's teacher supply: 428 residents enrolled in 2022-23 against 14,298 substandard credentials issued [~W]

Related Strategies¶

• Sustain and expand residency pathways through maintained state grant funding, financial aid, apprenticeship structures, and technical assistance
• Sustain and deepen state investments in high-retention teacher pathways and streamline licensure requirements
• Policy recommendations for sustaining and expanding teacher residencies
• State actions to strengthen and sustain a funded residency pathway: clarify goals, upgrade data systems, adjust grant parameters, offer transition grants, and pair new LEAs with experienced IHEs

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Carver-Thomas, D., Leung-Gagné, M., & Jeannite, D. (2024). Tackling teacher shortages: What we know about California's teacher workforce investments. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/137.196