State Teacher Policy Database

Explore state policies that shape the teaching profession.

Explore by Policy Area

See national trends across dozens of topic areas, from teacher preparation and licensure to evaluation and compensation.

Explore by State

Select an individual state to view in-depth analysis of its teacher policies and recommendations for state policymakers and advocates to drive improvement.

Compare State Data Tool

Drill down on a specific policy area and create a custom report to compare states. Select states to include, the policy issue to compare, then view, share, or export your custom report.

About the Database

The NCTQ State Teacher Policy Database provides access to information on state policies, laws, and regulations that impact teacher quality—ranging from teacher preparation, licensing, and evaluation to compensation, teacher diversity, and hiring and assignment. This unique database brings together data and analysis from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

This policy information is collected and updated on a regular basis, drawing from state laws, administrative code, Board of Education documents, and other public sources. State education agencies have the opportunity to review and provide feedback to all data and analysis prior to publication.

Our Process
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Work with Stakeholders

  • Identify key teacher policy topics based on the latest research from the field on what policies have the most significant impact on teacher quality and student learning.

  • Customize and validate teacher policy goals through engaging with external experts and practitioners.

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Collect and Validate Data

  • Collect and review data from state education agencies, state laws and regulations, and state school board policies.

  • Share data and analysis with state education agencies for review and feedback.

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Analyze Data to Inform Decisions

  • Generate national summaries and in-depth state analyses by topic area, reviewing trends within and across states over time.

  • Identify best practices and share policy exemplars and analyses with state policymakers and advocates.

Read more about our findings
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State of the States 2021: Teacher Preparation Policy
March 2021

NCTQ examines state policy trends that govern some of the most essential aspects of teacher preparation, from reading and content knowledge licensure exams to admissions and basic skills test requirements.

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Knowledge of Early Reading - Excerpted from State of the States 2021: Teacher Preparation Policy
August 2021

——2021年8月更新——大多数州继续拉ck a comprehensive set of policies to improve teacher knowledge of evidence-based early reading methods. This excerpt from NCTQ's State of the States 2021: Teacher Preparation...

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State of the States 2019: Teacher and Principal Evaluation Policy
October 2019

Since the 2015 passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a large number of states have backed away from recently enacted policies that were designed to breathe new life into moribund teacher and principal...

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