Rebecca Koenig Interim Senior Editorial Director | EdSurge Research
Aspire Public Schools in Los Angeles have successfully addressed teacher shortages by creating an internal pipeline of educators through a partnership with Alder Graduate School of Education. This initiative, according to Christopher Carr, Aspire's executive director in Los Angeles, has significantly improved teacher retention rates from 60% to 90%, particularly benefiting special education roles.
Carr emphasizes the program's success in fostering an antiracist culture and increasing the number of Black teachers from 7% to 14%. However, challenges remain in recruiting math and science teachers for middle and high schools: “It’s almost impossible to find a physics teacher right now,” he states.
Across California and the nation, teacher pipelines are dwindling. Some states have relaxed credential requirements, while others like Texas have recently tightened them. Texas' new law aims to reduce reliance on uncertified teachers by 2029-2030. Jacob Kirksey from Texas Tech highlights that half of new hires lacked credentials two years ago, impacting rural areas the most.
California maintains stringent teacher qualification standards but faces hurdles due to costly and complex processes. Beatrice Viramontes from Teach for America Bay Area notes the need for creative solutions as traditional credentialing poses barriers.
Programs like Rivet and TeachStart offer alternative pathways into teaching. Caprice Young of Navigator Schools points out that online certification options have benefited rural areas. However, without federal funding, these schools struggle to fill paraprofessional roles as they transition staff into teaching positions.
In New Jersey, Gemar Mills of College Achieve supports programs aiding students without degrees in becoming teachers. The state has adopted lenient credentialing post-pandemic but caps such certifications at 10%.
The search for qualified educators continues nationwide as school leaders explore innovative certification pathways amid ongoing challenges in finding specialized teachers.
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