State funding for teacher recruitment initiatives expanded in recent years but has subsequently been cut back due to the state’s budget shortfall. In the wake of broad public concern over the shortage of qualified teachers, the Governor and the Legislature instituted a series of teacher recruitment initiatives in the late 1990s. Specifically, the California Center for Teaching Careers (CalTeach) was introduced in 1997 and the Cal Grant T program in 1998. Two years later, three new initiatives were introduced: the Teacher Recruitment Incentive Program (TRIP), the Teaching as a Priority Block Grant Program (TAP) and the Governor’s Teaching Fellowship program. In addition, the existing Assumption Program of Loans for Education (APLE) was expanded.

In 2002–03, in the wake of a major budget shortfall, funding for teacher recruitment programs has been reduced by 20 percent to approximately $130 million. Due to budget shortfalls, the Governor’s Teaching Fellowship program has been suspended and funding for the Cal Grant T program has been reduced. Funding for CalTeach also has been cut severely.

The largest share of recruitment funding from the state continues to go directly to districts to meet local needs through the TAP program. Despite a cut of $30 million, the TAP program comprises 70 percent of all state teacher recruitment funds.

More information is available on:

• Assumption Program of Loans for Education
• Cal Grant T
• California Center for Teaching Careers
• Governor’s Teaching Fellowship
• Teaching as a Priority Block Grant Program
• Teacher Recruitment Incentive Program