Highlights of Our Impact in 2024
For more than 20 years, the National Council on Teacher Quality has promoted evidence-based policies and practices to strengthen and diversify the teacher workforce, giving every child—especially those who have long been underserved by our systems—access to a strong education.
Preparing teachers to teach reading effectively is key to improving life outcomes for all children and reversing historical patterns of inequity.
In 2024, we galvanized and supported states and teacher prep programs to strengthen elementary reading instruction.
15 states
adopted stronger reading policies in FY24 aligned with NCTQ recommendations (in addition to four others in FY23)
4 states
implemented higher quality reading licensure tests
40,000+ views
of our State of the States: Strengthening Elementary Reading Instruction report and accompanying Action Guide
The information in your latest State of the States reading report will be very helpful as we make the case for required high-quality instructional materials; providing science of reading training for current teachers, leaders, and coaches; and shoring up the capacity of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing to fully implement their revised literacy standards for teacher prep programs.California Advocate
Reimagined teacher staffing strategies can improve teacher retention, alleviate hiring challenges, and ultimately give more students access to effective teachers.
In 2024, we helped catalyze efforts to reimagine the teaching role to make the profession more sustainable and improve student learning.
50 states
were provided personalized state policy reviews and recommendations for action
Many congrats on launching the ‘reimagining the teaching role’ site and resources. The timing simply could not be better as the demand for and interest in strategic staffing seems to be on somewhat of a meteoric rise.Jim Larson, Partner, Policy & Advocacy, TNTP
A strong clinical practice experience can make a new teacher as effective as one in their second or third year in the classroom.
In 2024, we elevated strong clinical practice experiences as a key strategy for ensuring teachers are well prepared and to increase effective teacher retention and mitigate vacancies.
268 education leaders
engaged in virtual discussions on strengthening clinical practice (and 97% affirmed they learned something useful)
13 stories
of states, districts, and teacher prep programs with strong clinical practice components elevated from which others can learn
We took specific recommendations from NCTQ’s Clinical Practice Framework and rated our program on each of them. This guidance from NCTQ is really helpful in illuminating areas that we’re proud of and where we need more intentional thinking to make sure our teacher candidates are ready for the classroom.Dr. Rebecca Good, Vice Provost, Teacher Preparation,
Relay Graduate School of Education
We measure what we value. Strong data and clear goals are fundamental to strengthening and diversifying the teacher workforce.
In 2024, we successfully advocated for stronger policies and better data to bolster the teacher workforce pipeline.
Raised awareness
Raised awareness in major media outlets of impending teacher layoffs as ESSER funds expire and emphasized the importance of prioritizing performance and diversity over seniority in layoff decisions
Restored federal funds
In partnership with the Data Quality Campaign, provoked Congress to restore funds ($28.5 million) to the State Longitudinal Data Systems grant
Piloted forecasting model
Tested our teacher workforce forecasting model in Rhode Island in collaboration with the Annenberg Institute
Advocacy translates research findings into actionable change, raises awareness, and catalyzes action.
In 2024, we brought data to bear on key teacher quality issues through extensive advocacy work.
100+ consultancies across 32 states
provided to education leaders, policymakers, and advocates on a host of teacher quality policy decisions/practices
28 external presentations
delivered to various audiences on a range of topics, including licensure test pass rates, reading policy, teacher preparation, strategic compensation, diversifying the teacher workforce, and teacher supply and demand data
2,218 news stories cited NCTQ’s data
on a range of teacher quality topics, including The Wall Street Journal, NPR Morning Edition, CNN, and USA Today
NCTQ is our go-to resource to stay updated on the latest data, analysis, and recommendations related to teacher quality … Thanks to NCTQ, our Business Leads Fellows are poised to share in the effort to ensure all students have access to effective teachers."Kyle Butler, Senior Manager, Programs, K-12 Education
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Strategic Priorities for 2025
"NCTQ's research and advocacy has changed state laws and policies for the better, ensuring lasting improvements for the nation's educator workforce. I look forward to continued progress across our 2025 strategic priorities."
-Hannah Dietsch, NCTQ Board Chair
Priority 1
Advance reading and math achievement via evidence-based instructional practices by effective teachers.
Priority 2
Promote evidence-based policies, practices, and data systems that enable states and districts to strategically attract, support, and retain a strong and diverse teacher workforce.
Priority 3
Ensure content knowledge and pedagogical knowledge among teachers so they are prepared for the classroom on Day 1.