Topic: Teacher Workforce Policy
Teacher Workforce Policy
State Policies to Elevate the Profession and Address Shortages
The most important thing a school can do for a student’s education is ensure they have a good teacher. States need a strong teacher workforce to increase student learning and to build a stronger economy. SREB helps state leaders address teacher shortages and improve policies that affect teachers across their careers — including recruiting, supporting and retaining great teachers.
A Comprehensive Approach to Teacher Workforce Policy
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| PREPARATION | CERTIFICATION | DEVELOPMENT | COMPENSATION |
These four elements support teachers at every stage of their careers — from candidates and early career teachers, to professional teachers and teacher leaders.
Teacher Workforce Data
To address teacher shortages, elevate the profession, and fuel the economy, a key first step is unpacking the data.
States are uniquely positioned for this work — by collecting, analyzing, and distributing teacher workforce data, states can shine a light on inequities and inefficiencies. SREB supports efforts to use data to inform policy and practice, shares research and analysis, and conducts focus groups with teachers to learn more about their experiences.
Building a First-Rate Teacher Workforce
Four Fundamentals of Attracting and Retaining Great Teachers — Starting with Data
Districts and schools are having to rely on a “warm body” approach to address teacher shortages, focusing on filling numerical vacancies over teacher qualification or preparedness. But taking a closer look at four fundamental areas of data can help make efforts to solve shortages more effective and longer-lasting.
Teacher Compensation Across the South
Dashboard & Analysis
Teacher compensation is about more than just salaries. Each year, SREB tracks and analyzes state-by-state data on teacher compensation packages, including heath and retirement benefits, salaries and take-home pay. Use our updated Teacher Compensation Dashboard to examine and compare data or see trends and key takeaways from around the Southern region.
The Next Generation of Teachers
A Study of Generation Z’s Interest in the Teaching Profession
We depend on Generation Z to fill the growing number of teaching vacancies. Partnering with researchers at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of Education, SREB studied data in Kentucky and Tennessee for insight into Gen Z and their interest in the teaching profession. This online report features six findings with interactive charts.
A Blueprint to Solve Teacher Shortages
Imagine a world where more great people enter teaching, stay in the profession, and get better and better. How do we achieve this?
This report offers insight on how to elevate the profession by renovating policies that affect the teacher workforce. With lessons from SREB states that have forged comprehensive plans, it covers pathways and preparation, licensing, mentoring and support, and compensation structures. The report also includes data on shortages, what causes them and how they hurt our economy.
