Taking the Long View
State Efforts to Solve Teacher Shortages by Strengthening the Profession
![Teacher working with elementary age girl](/sites/default/files/styles/content_image_515x500/public/2020-08/resource-lpi-taking-the-long-view.jpg?itok=aFenWVmm)
![Teacher working with elementary age girl](/sites/default/files/styles/content_image_515x500/public/2020-08/resource-lpi-taking-the-long-view.jpg?itok=aFenWVmm)
This report focuses on six evidence-based policies that states are pursuing to address their teacher shortages by strengthening, rather than weakening, their educator workforce. The six featured policy strategies include: (1) service scholarships and student loan forgiveness, (2) high-retention pathways into teaching, (3) mentoring and induction for new teachers, (4) high-quality school principals, (5) competitive compensation, and (6) recruitment strategies to expand the pool of qualified educators. It also takes a close look at the state of Washington, where state policymakers have taken a comprehensive approach to addressing teacher shortages and improving the educator workforce by implementing many of the evidence-based policies described in the report. These strategies can help states build long-term sustainable systems to attract, develop, and retain a strong and stable teacher workforce.