Teacher Preparation and Performance

Teacher training other teachers

A strong education system is built upon effective teachers. Effective teachers must be supported by effective policies and practices across their entire career, beginning with preparation and recruitment, continuing through professional growth, evaluation, environment, and compensation through teacher leadership.

Related Topics

Principal Preparation and Performance

Our Work

AIR works in a number of areas to develop effective educators. We work to achieve solutions to complex policy and practice problems and to support effective approaches that help teachers thrive:

Teacher Preparation

Preparation programs provide teachers with the skills and experiences needed to be effective educators from the beginning of their career. Learn more

Recruitment, Supply and Demand, and Teacher Shortages

Teacher quality is impacted when there are shortage areas and job supply does not match the demand. Learn more

Professional Development, Growth, and Learning

Effective professional learning can improve teacher practice. Learn more

Teacher Evaluation

A well-designed evaluation system can serve to identify highly effective teachers, generate meaningful data and feedback, and improve teaching and learning. Learn more

Teacher Compensation and Incentives

An effective compensation system should directly support district recruitment, hiring, and retention goals by recognizing and rewarding effective teachers and teacher candidates. Learn more

Teacher Leadership and Career Pathways

Teachers shouldn’t have to leave the classroom and become administrators to advance in their career. Effective teachers need opportunities to grow in their role across their entire career. Learn more

Educator Environment

Teachers are more satisfied and excel when they teach in a supportive school environment. Learn more

Latest Work

Image of kindergarten teacher and student
13 Nov 2019
Video

REL Midwest Videos and Documentaries

The Regional Educational Laboratory Midwest (REL Midwest), one of ten regional educational laboratories funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, serves the educational needs of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Explore these vidoes and documentaries to learn more about the topics we cover.
Image of teacher in classroom with students on tablets
29 Oct 2019
In the Field

Three Strategies for Preparing Teachers of Computer Science

Teachers are the number-one factor in student learning, so preparing and supporting high-quality teachers of computer science is critical. AIR is working with states, districts, and teachers to implement and test three promising strategies to strengthen teacher preparation and development:
23 Oct 2019
Spotlight

Addressing Challenges and Elevating Opportunities in Rural Education

Rural school districts, educators, and students have different experiences than their urban and suburban counterparts. The Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) are designed to help fill this gap. These labs, which are funded by the Institute of Education Sciences in the U.S. Department of Education, serve as research alliances that examine and address high-priority regional needs, such as college and career readiness, educational equity, and teacher preparation and performance.
Image of young children looking at bugs in a field
23 Oct 2019
Q & A

Q&A: The Unique Assets and Challenges of Rural Education

As the Indiana State Liaison for REL Midwest, AIR Researcher Billie Day helps maximize opportunities for rural students, schools, and communities. She answered some questions about what assets and challenges affect rural education, some misconceptions about it, and her personal connection to the work.
22 Oct 2019 | 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Event

Addressing the Talent Problem: Recruiting and Retaining Effective Educators for All Schools

Join AIR and WestEd for a special panel discussion, where education practitioners and experts will showcase effective talent retention strategies linked to rapid school improvement, as well as overview strategies that federal policymakers can authorize and fund under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Infographic: How do U.S. teachers and principals compare with teachers and principals internationally?
7 Oct 2019
Q & A

In Conversation: Insights on U.S. Teachers and Principals from an International Survey

How does the U.S. education workforce compare to other countries in terms of demographics, attitudes, and beliefs? Do they spend more time on instruction and other tasks than international educators? AIR provides technical and substantive support for the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS), which provides a barometer of the profession every five years. AIR Principal Researchers Matthew Clifford, Ebru Erberber, and Lisa Lachlan discussed TALIS 2018 key findings and policy and practice implications from a U.S. perspective.
30 Sep 2019
In the Field

Southeast Comprehensive Center Impact Stories

The Southeast Comprehensive Center developed a series of impact stories to highlight key technical assistance support and positive outcomes related to improving teaching, learning, and capacity building in the five states served in its region: Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Young teachers
10 Sep 2019
Spotlight

Teacher Shortages: Trends, Projections, and What Experts Say

Teacher shortages are widely reported across the United States. But is there more to the story? Research sheds light on the widely-debated questions of shortages, their causes, severity, and ways to respond.
Image of man and school-aged boy on a bench
6 Sep 2019
In the Field

Chronic Absence: Busting Myths and Helping Educators Develop More Effective Responses

The simple act of not attending school consistently increases the likelihood that children will be unable to read well by grade 3, fail classes in middle school, and drop out of high school. Standing in the way of truly addressing chronic absence are three harmful myths.
Project

Past and Projected Trends in Teacher Demand and Supply in Michigan

State and school district leaders in Michigan are concerned about the challenges some districts are facing in filling certain classroom teacher vacancies and about the harmful impact of teacher shortages on students, schools, and communities. This study provides a systematic analysis of trends in teacher demand, supply, and shortages in Michigan between 2013/14 and 2017/18 and projects shortages and surpluses for 2018/19–2022/23.
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