Masters Thesis

Investigating the Stockton Unified School District teacher shortage and proposing a teacher supply-chain solution for the shortage

A qualified teacher workforce is an essential component for improving educational outcomes. Yet, school districts throughout California report having a shortage of qualified teachers. To try to deal with this situation, California school districts often hire underprepared teachers and emergency-credential substitutes. In addition, they may staff their classrooms with teachers out of their subject area, eliminate courses, or over-enroll class rosters. A teacher shortage is especially acute in the Stockton Unified School District (USD). The Stockton district is located in an urban community, and it serves 40,000 students with a $585 million budget. The purpose of this study is to identify a possible solution to the teacher shortage in the Stockton USD through the development of paraprofessional educators. The district has teacher pathway programs at three comprehensive high schools, access to a bountiful supply of paraprofessionals, and its own teacher induction program. This study suggests that the addition of a Teacher Supply Chain Coordinator to bridge the gaps between these assets, along with implementation of teacher retention strategies, will maximize the district’s potential to produce and maintain a fully prepared teacher workforce.

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