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Schools continue to face specific and persistent teacher shortages in certain subjects, such as upper-level math and special education, and in certain schools, including historically under-resourced schools and rural schools. Declining participation in teacher preparation programs, coupled with high turnover in the profession, suggests that a comprehensive approach that accounts for each stage of the teacher pipeline is necessary to recruit and retain effective teachers. This resource compiles state-specific data related to teacher shortages and provides a national comparison of state policies to recruit and retain teachers across the teacher pipeline. This 50-State Comparison assesses how all states approach teacher recruitment and retention. The report contains the hyperlinks to tables answering some of the following questions: (1) Has the state published state-specific teacher shortage data within the past five years? Is shortage data disaggregated by race and/or ethnicity?; (2) Has the state administered a statewide teacher retention or working conditions survey within the past five years?; (3) Does the state offer a pathway, program or incentive through statute or regulation to recruit paraprofessionals into the teaching profession?; (4) Does the state require or encourage reduced teaching loads for new and/or mentor teachers?; (5) Does the state offer a teacher leader license or endorsement?; (6) Does statute define at least one statewide financial incentive program for teachers of color?; and (7) Does the state require or encourage additional pay for teachers who obtain National Board Certification?

There is growing interest in student-centered learning as a model to better support individual learners. In recent years, state policymakers have pursued multiple approaches to implement this instructional model, but many leaders still experience policy barriers that affect progress. This Policy Brief offers an analysis of policy trends, comprehensive state examples and key considerations for those interested in a personalized, competency-based system. Policy options for state education leaders fall into three categories: (1) Assessment of student mastery; (2) Flexible governance; and (3) Student-centered learning frameworks. The brief also highlights existing student-centered learning policies across the country in a 50-state policy scan.

School accountability systems can serve many purposes, including sharing information, measuring progress toward state and local goals, and supporting greater educational equity. Given the important role accountability systems play in states' education systems, states have taken the opportunity provided by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to improve upon their existing systems. This interactive resource captures where state accountability systems are by providing a national overview of these systems as described in state ESSA plans, current state statute and regulation, or other state education agency resources. In some cases, states may operate multiple systems to ensure school quality. Hyperlinked data tables for 50-state comparisons showing how all states approach school accountability are provided. A specific state's approach can be viewed by going to the individual state profile page.

This interactive resource provides information on state private school choice policies specific to vouchers, education savings accounts and scholarship tax credits. It highlights the various ways in which states approach specific private school choice policies. It is worth noting that some states have more than one private school choice program. Hyperlinked data tables for 50-State Comparisons for each of the data points are provided. All data elements for a single state can be viewed by going to the individual state profile page.

Understanding how key governance roles are structured and relate to each other helps clarify complex systems for policymakers. Every state has the same or similar policymaking roles; however, each of the roles operate differently in the context of each state's governance model. This interactive resource provides a national overview of the key policymaking roles in K-12 education policy, a summary of each role's general powers and duties, and some information on how they relate to other policymaking roles. Education Commission of the States researched state level education governance roles to provide these three comprehensive resources. Hyperlinked data tables are provided to access 50-State Comparisons for each of the data points. Individual state profiles detailing all data elements for a single state can also be viewed.

Charter schools are semi-autonomous public schools that receive public funds. They operate under a written contract with a state, district, or other entity (referred to as an authorizer or sponsor). Charter school laws vary from state to state and often differ on several important factors, such as who may authorize charter schools, how authorizers and charter schools are held accountable for student outcomes, and whether charter school teachers must be certified. Education Commission of the States has researched charter school policies in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource. This 50-State Comparison shows how all states approach specific charter school policies. The following topics are addressed: (1) Charter School Basics; (2) Charter School Applications; (3) Charter School Authorizing; (4) Charter School Autonomy and Accountability; (5) Charter School Funding; (6) Charter School Teachers; and (7) Virtual Charter Schools. Each topic area contains questions with hyperlinks to tables that show the findings for each state.

Virtual learning is a rapidly growing space in education policy, driven by state leaders seeking to maximize potential for instructional innovation, prepare students for life in the digital age and meet students' unique needs. Virtual learning takes a variety of forms, including full-time virtual schools, supplemental course offerings and blended learning programs. In the 2017-2019 legislative sessions, virtual school legislation addressed the following areas presented in this report: (1) attendance and engagement; (2) authorizing and governance; and (3) funding for virtual schools.

Ensuring the safety and security of students is vital to creating a positive learning environment. Active shooter situations at postsecondary institutions resulted in about 150 casualties between 2000 and 2017. This prevalence of gun violence at postsecondary institutions, which is often viewed in the context of larger conversations around gun violence and mass shootings, has resulted in a policy debate over the most effective ways to maintain campus safety. A key facet of this debate is the possession of firearms on campus. Currently, 22 states explicitly prohibit the possession of firearms at postsecondary institutions, while eight states allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm on campus. The issue has been deliberated at the institutional and system levels, in state legislatures and in state courts. Over the past several years, two common themes in legislative proposals have been gun possession -- especially who may possess and when -- and gun storage. This Policy Snapshot provides a summary of legislative activity pertaining to these issues from the 2018 and 2019 legislative sessions.