EdTrust and TECA Release Report on Teacher Apprenticeships

EdTrust and the Tennessee Educators of Color Alliance (TECA) have released Building Futures: Strengthening the Educator Workforce Through Teacher Apprenticeships to highlight the effectiveness of apprenticeship programs. Drawing on interviews with 32 apprentices of color in Tennessee and Texas, EdTrust’s new report outlines ways programs can better support teacher apprentices in general. The report urges programs to be more intentional about recruiting candidates, as many felt they joined their registered teacher apprenticeship programs (RTAPs) by chance rather than through targeted outreach. The report also calls for stronger mentorship structures, including clear criteria for mentor teachers and safeguards to prevent apprentices from being used as de facto long-term substitutes. Finally, it recommends improving both financial assistance and transparency about costs, noting that while apprenticeships are more affordable than traditional teacher preparation, they still place a significant financial strain on many candidates.

Download the report here.