In the fall of 2022, Tennessee had 1,000 vacant teaching positions. Adding to this concern is a decade-long trend of declining completion in educator preparation programs (EPPs) in Tennessee, signaling the need for a more comprehensive solution to the gap in Tennessee’s educator pipeline. This paper presents a vision for how Tennessee can respond to the teacher shortage in a more comprehensive way, offering research-based solutions and actionable steps to help districts and schools attract and retain teachers.
Key takeaways:
- Longstanding research connects student access to effective educators with improved outcomes, highlighting the need for a more reliable, effective, and diverse educator workforce.
- Innovative staffing models can help districts and schools attract and retain teachers, strengthening the health of the educator pipeline.