Unforgetting Teacher Shortage Histories: Reimagining Leadership for Equitable Retention in California

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 7:45 am
  In Poster Session: Teacher Pipelines, Recruitment, and Pathways

Abstract

There are persistent teacher shortages across the United States. California is one of the top 10 states that is suffering from the crisis. In California, especially in high-poverty, rural, and racially diverse districts, are suffering the most due to intersecting historical, economic, geographical, and political legacies. This literature review draws on Herzberg’s Two-factor theory to “unforget” how past reforms (e.g.,high-stakes accountability, emergency credentialing) created today’s staffing inequities. A critical literature review of 34 peer-reviewed articles, state reports, and federal datasets (2019–2024) reveals three patterned findings: (1) shortages are structurally rooted, not episodic; (2) existing research rarely integrates teacher and principal perspectives in a holistic view within the recent 5 years; and (3) one-size-fits-all incentives is unstable without localized, equity-oriented leadership.

Authors

• Pinyi Wang, University of Florida

• Tiffany Shanice Aaron, University of Florida