Strengthening Pathways into the Teaching Profession in Texas: Challenges and Opportunities

Y

94

Teaching (Occupation); Career Pathways; Teacher Shortage; Teacher Persistence; Labor Turnover; Teacher Salaries; Teaching Conditions; Teacher Education Programs; Scholarships; Student Loan Programs; Loan Repayment; Beginning Teacher Induction; Mentors; Teacher Certification; Enrollment Rate; Mathematics Education; Alternative Teacher Certification; Language Arts; Intervention; Incentives; Intellectual Disciplines; Preschool Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Preservice Teacher Education

This report summarizes teacher workforce challenges and recent initiatives in Texas that are shaping the state of the educator workforce in important ways. Ongoing teacher shortages have led to the creation of a wide range of pathways into the profession, featuring varying types and amounts of training. A growing body of research demonstrates that these differences in pathways are associated with meaningful differences in teachers' knowledge, skills, and effectiveness, as well as the rates at which they enter and leave the profession. These differences have implications for student learning, school management, and equity, since the districts that have the most difficulty hiring fully prepared teachers are those that serve the most students of color and students from low-income families. This report reviews the emerging research; describes the substantial efforts Texas leaders and institutions are making to address concerns about workforce preparation and stability; and provides additional actionable, research-based policy recommendations. [Funding for this report was provided by the Charles Butt Foundation. For the Research Brief, see ED630217.]

ERIC

2023

ED630218