In this webinar, the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) shared strategies from advocates and policymakers as they tackled teacher shortages that disproportionately impact underserved communities.

The webinar highlighted a recent LPI report, Taking the Long View: State Efforts to Solve Teacher Shortages by Strengthening the Profession, which focused on six evidence-based policies that states are pursued to address their teacher shortages by strengthening and retaining a strong and diverse educator workforce. It also took a close look at the state of Washington, where state policymakers have used a comprehensive approach to addressing teacher shortages by implementing many of the evidence-based policies described in the report. This conversation was supplemented by a discussion on pathways and financial supports that can build a pool of diverse teacher candidates who are well prepared for long-term success in the classroom. This session identified:

●  Teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention strategies that have been found to support greater teacher effectiveness and retention. These strategies can help states build long-term sustainable systems to attract, develop, and retain a strong, stable, and diverse teacher workforce.

●  Examples from state and local advocates and leaders on how they have addressed teacher shortages and increased workforce diversity, with a focus on teachers working in underserved communities.