Teacher shortages continue to be a challenge for state policymakers, and while national media coverage paints a picture of widespread shortages, a closer examination reveals that shortages tend to be concentrated in specific subjects and schools. The primary policy response to shortages is often to recruit more teachers, but research demonstrates…

State legislators have the opportunity to create and support legislation that positions data as a tool to help decisionmakers at all levels take action to support student success. This checklist can serve as a guide to crafting legislation that addresses education data. It applies specifically to education data legislation which includes bills…

How can States address the continual and extraordinary challenge of sustaining and adapting the reforms they have implemented to improve student outcomes? What steps can States take to do so in the face of inevitably evolving conditions--such as a change in resources (for example, the end of a grant), leadership (a transition in personnel or…

Improving teacher quality in early education is a major part of ensuring young children's school readiness and closing the achievement gap. This is the book decision-makers and administrators need to begin developing coordinated, effective teacher quality systems--ones that not only get teachers ready for the classroom, but also promote continuous…

In keeping with a primary mission of Maryland community colleges--to provide comprehensive continuing education for state residents--the State Board for Community Colleges encourages each college to provide a broad range of courses and services to meet the unique needs of respective service area residents. The Board also recognizes that state…

This plan, including all goals, projections, and policy directions, is predicated upon continued open access to community college occupational, transfer, and community services programs, in accordance with the educational needs of the citizens of the state. Enrollment projections suggest that growth in full-time enrollments will be moderate while…