Current reports highlight the status of the teaching profession is at a 50-year low, noting sobering statistics about low teacher morale, the loss of professional prestige, lack of student interest to pursue teaching, and increased percentages of teachers thinking about leaving (Marken & Agrawal, 2022; Mission Square Research Institute, 2021;…

The COVID-19 crisis is certain to have significant and enduring consequences for all sectors of public education. Although most of these consequences are negative and dire, at least two offer hope. First, appreciation for the work teachers do has grown; second, for the recently unemployed, teaching may become a more desirable occupational option.…

Region 9 Comprehensive Center (R9CC) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) collaboratively collected and analyzed teacher workforce data to identify barriers for recruiting and retaining an effective and diverse teacher workforce. R9CC and ISBE used the Teacher Shortage Tool from the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders to identify equity…

COVID-19 continues to impose dire consequences on all sectors of our public education system. Many students, particularly those from vulnerable populations, are receiving reduced amounts of direct instruction and are experiencing significant losses in learning. At the same time, educator preparation programs (EPPs) are struggling to ensure that…

Districts trying to address budgets and service delivery uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 crisis may minimize priority on collaborations with local educator preparation programs (EPPs). In fact, school districts may shy away from welcoming preservice teacher candidates, avoiding what they perceive as an added burden on overtaxed teachers and…

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis will undoubtedly have dire consequences for all sectors of public education. The rapid transition to remote modes of instruction in the spring of 2020 and the subsequent anxiety about the start of the 2020-21 academic year have highlighted the critical need for well-prepared educators. Although calls…