We champion policies to attract, prepare and support a diverse educator workforce. This includes expanding pathways into teaching that are accessible, practice-based, and focused on instructional decision-making grounded in science.
Some of the policies we champion include:
- Standards and training for future teachers grounded in an evidence-based understanding of how students learn, especially in literacy and mathematics instruction
- Access and training for future teachers on high-quality instructional materials (HQIM)
- Paid practice opportunities that are offered early in the trajectory of teacher-candidate learning experiences, focused on instruction, supported by expert mentors, and based in PK-12 schools with the greatest needs
- Scholarships and loan forgiveness programs for aspiring teachers, especially aspiring teachers of color
- Admissions and exit requirements that seek to increase the diversity and quality of the teaching workforce
- Approval and renewal standards that support the continuous improvement of programs, especially the ability of programs and leaders to build the instructional skills of aspiring teachers
We deeply believe that practice must inform policy.
To date, we’ve worked with leaders of over 150+ educator-preparation programs across 45 states to support work on the ground and translate lessons and learning to policy. These leaders are at the forefront of efforts to improve the quality of their programs and reduce barriers that have stood in the way of aspiring teachers – particularly aspiring teachers of color – completing practice-based programs.
We engage with state and federal policymakers to translate practice into policy in the following ways:
Convening and Coalition-Building
We convene and mobilize leaders, researchers, and practitioners to advocate for policy conditions that enable accessible, practice-based, and instructionally-focused pathways. We also lead and participate in national coalitions to accelerate student learning and strengthen teacher pipelines, including the National Partnership for Student Success, Learn from History Coalition, and Pathways Alliance, the latter of which we co-founded.
Learn more: Aspiring Teachers as Tutors Network, National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards for K-12 Teacher Apprenticeships
Strategic Advising
We offer strategic advising to state education agencies, task forces, and other government bodies by leveraging the most current research, staff expertise, and insights from our national network of ed prep leaders and practitioners. We support states to address their most pressing challenges with an eye towards creating equitable and inclusive policy systems that foster equitable and inclusive classrooms for all students.
Learn more: Louisiana Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Recovery Taskforce
Issue Advocacy and Communications
We elevate the voices of ed prep leaders and practitioners engaged in the hard work of ensuring that every child has well-prepared teachers. Our advocacy is grounded in a significant body of research, including how policy impacts the ability of leaders and programs to deliver strong outcomes for students. We engage field experts, researchers, influencers, and mission-aligned partners to lift up notable efforts to make pathways into teaching more accessible, practice-based, and focused on instruction.
Learn more: PATHS to Tutor Act, High-Quality Registered Apprenticeships
Related Tools and Resources
Featured News and Blog Posts
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A New Playbook to Recruit Tutors: Tap Teachers in Training
Amid labor shortages, hiring from teacher prep programs could ‘unlock’ up to a half million new...
January 11, 2023
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OPINION: American classrooms urgently need more tutors, so why not mobilize teachers in training?
There’s a solution that is readily available and can help kids catch up post pandemic
December 06, 2022
Blog
Modernizing Teacher Prep Policy with Deans for Impact
Deans for Impact's Senior Director of Policy Patrick Steck and VP of Program...
March 30, 2022
News
See Which States Have Teacher Apprenticeship Programs, and How the Model Plans to Expand
The federal government is doubling down on what it sees as a promising solution to teacher shortages
July 17, 2023
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A New Feature of Teacher Prep Programs? Compensating Future Educators for Their Time
These students aren’t just getting relevant teaching experience. They’re also getting paid.
May 30, 2023
Blog
Deans for Impact Launches Texas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program Tour to Highlight Exemplary Preparation Practices
Visits will uncover on-the-ground best practices for building and sustaining high-quality programs.
November 18, 2024