Five state policy actions to sustain and scale teacher residencies¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief recommends that the state: (1) "Fund resident and mentor stipends with state matching grants that increase the district match over time to support sustainability"; (2) provide seed grants to EPPs launching residencies with high-quality features; (3) invest in technical assistance capacity through Education Service Centers, including ESC Fellows and possible multidistrict regional residency consortia; (4) establish pipelines for mentor teachers and residency clinical faculty connected to state workforce priorities; and (5) provide targeted support for partnerships preparing teachers for high-need assignments and locations, modeled on the Teacher Incentive Allotment structure.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• State funding, guidance, and technical assistance infrastructure, including Education Service Centers

Constraints¶

• High-quality residency features are most difficult to establish and sustain in smaller, under-resourced, and more rural districts

Target Learners¶

• teacher residency candidates
• mentor teachers
• educator preparation programs

Target Learning Goals¶

• building a strong, stable, and diverse teacher workforce

Related Strategies¶

• Policy recommendations for sustaining and expanding teacher residencies
• Use Teacher Residency Grant Program funds, braided with other sources, to recruit and retain a diverse teaching workforce
• State policy levers for sustaining yearlong, stipended clinical preparation: require or incentivize full-year stipended clinical experience, fund partnerships, and reduce testing fees
• Sustain teacher residencies through blended federal and state funding, including TQP grants, ESSER funds, and dedicated state investments
• State actions to strengthen and sustain a funded residency pathway: clarify goals, upgrade data systems, adjust grant parameters, offer transition grants, and pair new LEAs with experienced IHEs
• Build high-retention, supportive pathways into teaching for candidates of color
• Sustain and expand residency pathways through maintained state grant funding, financial aid, apprenticeship structures, and technical assistance

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Wojcikiewicz, S. K., & Wei, W. (2024). Investing in Texas teacher preparation: Key features of successful residency programs [Brief]. Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/texas-teacher-preparation-brief