Staffing Classrooms in a Time of Shortage

Shared from the California Collaborative on Educational Excellence's Newsletter "THE CCEE CONNECTION"
​By Sasha Horwitz, Governmental Relations and Public Affairs

Local Commentary: Our San Mateo County School Districts, as well as the County Office of Education, are working hard to ensure that classrooms are staffed and that special education supports (such as 1:1 Aides are in place), but this is a continuing struggle, so as we come together to solve this issue, this article is highly relevant. If you're considering spending time in local classrooms, there are a number of options to consider - and I hope that you will.

For years, California schools have contended with a shortage of fully qualified teachers. While local educational agencies (LEAs) are no strangers to meeting staffing challenges, the pandemic has put more strain on an already stretched workforce. While local educational agencies (LEAs) are no strangers to meeting staffing challenges, the pandemic has put more strain on an already stretched workforce. Adding to existing waivers and flexibilities, California has taken extraordinary steps to make it easier to fill substitute vacancies, to create alternatives to high stakes testing that have kept otherwise qualified teachers from completing their credentials, and to provide nearly $1 billion of new investment in the teacher pipeline.

LEAs always have the legal responsibility to staff classrooms with well-prepared, fully credentialed teachers to the full extent possible. As the impacts of the pandemic continue to reverberate through the educator workforce, the following opportunities are available now to help LEAs meet the need for teachers and substitutes.

​Full Article HERE.

EXISTING OPTIONS:

• Short-term waivers
• Teaching Permit for Statutory Leave (TPSL)
• Local Assignment Options (LAO)

NEW OPTIONS:

• Emergency substitute permits
• Testing flexibilities to meet subject matter and basic skills requirements
• Grant funding: Golden State Teacher Grant; Classified School Employee Teacher Grant; Teacher Residency Grant