UC Riverside Announces Free Tuition Program to Combat Teacher Shortage
Credit: Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images- UC Riverside is partnering with the San Bernardino City Unified School District to offer a teacher residency program.
- The program will fully cover tuition and fees, offer students a stipend, and provide mentoring opportunities with veteran teachers in the district.
- The district anticipates around 190 teachers retiring or resigning this year, which, if the vacancies remain unfilled, could potentially result in larger class sizes and heavier workloads for current teachers.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District are partnering to offer a new teacher residency program to combat the local teacher shortage.
The one-year credentialing program will fully cover all tuition and fees for participating students while providing a stipend of approximately $32,000. In exchange, participants will commit to teaching in the San Bernardino school district once they graduate.
Stay in the Know!
Subscribe to our weekly emails and get the latest college news and resources sent straight to your inbox!
“Across California and the nation, we are facing a shortage of qualified teachers, especially in critical areas like special education, dual language instruction, math, and science,” Frances Valdovinos, assistant dean and director of teacher education at UCR’s School of Education, said in a statement.
“This partnership gives future teachers an unprecedented level of support while helping San Bernardino schools meet urgent staffing needs.”
Interested in pursuing a career in education? Read more:
As part of the program, students will be guaranteed a student teaching placement in the San Bernardino school district. Students will work alongside veteran district teachers throughout the full academic year, offering a “more immersive experience” than traditional student teaching.
“Residents will not just observe — they will live the full cycle of a school year. It’s an investment in real-world preparation,” Robert Morales, director of human resources for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, said in the statement.
The program is open to students admitted into UCR’s teacher education program who already have bachelor’s degrees. The university and the school district are especially focused on recruiting students “who reflect the community’s demographics,” including those from underrepresented backgrounds and individuals with connections to the local area.
“We want students to see themselves in their teachers,” Valdovinos said. “Representation matters, and it strengthens the connection between schools and families.”
The first cohort of up to 35 students is expected to start in summer 2025, and another cohort is expected to start in 2026.
Morales said the program “could not come at a more crucial time,” as the district anticipates around 190 teachers retiring or resigning this year.
“We need a pipeline of talented, dedicated teachers who understand our community and are ready to serve it. This residency is a game-changer.”
The nation has been grappling with a teacher shortage for several years. According to the Learning Policy Institute, more than 400,000 teacher positions were unfilled or filled by non-fully certified teachers during the 2022-2023 school year.
In California, there are an estimated 10,000 educator vacancies in public schools, according to a survey report from the California Teachers Association.
The survey found that 40% of California educators are considering leaving education in the next few years, with around 35% of younger educators considering the same, primarily due to financial reasons.
Since 2021, California has allocated more than $1 billion to increasing the state’s teacher workforce. Programs such as the Golden State Teacher Grant Program offer financial incentives to students pursuing their preliminary teaching credential.
The teacher shortage isn’t a California-specific problem.
The nation has been grappling with a teacher shortage for several years. According to the Learning Policy Institute, more than 400,000 teacher positions were unfilled or filled by non-fully certified teachers during the 2022-2023 school year.
And as the federal government cuts programs aimed at tackling the teacher shortage, other states are picking up the ball along with California.
In North Carolina, the Cultivating Carolina Classrooms initiative, conducted in partnership with local community colleges, allows teachers to earn their licensure in just two years for around $2,500.
The state also offers a student loan repayment program for future educators who plan to pursue teaching jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Exceptional Children education, and elementary education.