Many states and districts face significant challenges ensuring that all students have access to a high-quality and diverse teacher workforce. To strengthen teacher preparation and support for new teachers, browse this collection of resources from the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) network. We have included research, strategies, and tools related to teacher preparation, mentoring and residency programs, certification and licensure, Grow Your Own programs, and more.

See the REL Program’s COVID-19 Evidence-Based Resources for strategies and guidance related to teaching and learning during the pandemic, including teacher preparation.

Preparing and supporting new teachers

• Our Southwest Teacher Preparation and Professional Development Research Partnership is providing research-based evidence on Louisiana’s Believe and Prepare teacher residency program. The statewide program is designed to improve access to qualified teachers in Louisiana schools, particularly those serving the highest concentrations of low-income households.
• • Sara DeLano, executive director of Education Workforce for the Louisiana Department of Education, describes the agency’s efforts to implement the Believe and Prepare statewide residency program to support new teachers.
  • Through the partnership, REL Southwest is collaborating with the Louisiana Department of Education to study the outcomes of novice teachers participating in the Believe and Prepare pilot program.
• A REL Mid-Atlantic fact sheet provides information on teacher residency programs in the United States, including features of high-performing programs and research on program outcomes.
• Watch this 30-minute REL Midwest documentary to learn about best practices for preparing and supporting new educators. The program features three novice teachers in Metro Detroit whose experiences highlight the importance of quality preparation, clinical experience, and ongoing mentorship.
• Also from REL Midwest, this video describes how teacher preparation programs and districts in Michigan are working together to prepare novice teachers for success. Topics include new teacher competencies, high-leverage practices, and real-world examples.
• Watch this video to learn how REL Northeast and Islands is working with Boston Public Schools to enhance a mentoring program for beginning teachers through data coaching.
• Drawing on adult learning theory and principles of high-quality professional learning, this REL Pacific webinar discusses strategies for adapting teacher professional learning to an online environment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Browse related responses from the Ask A REL reference desk, a free service that compiles relevant research and organizations in response to educator questions:
• • Strategies to recruit/retain teacher candidates (REL Southwest).
  • Supports for superintendent career pathways (REL Southwest).
  • Effective teacher preparation programs (REL Central).
  • Teacher candidate dispositions correlated with effective teaching (REL Central).
  • Impact of teachers obtaining a content-area master’s degree (REL Central).
  • Effective field experiences for teacher candidates (REL Central).
  • Preservice math training for elementary special education teachers (REL Appalachia).
  • Preservice science teacher education (REL Southeast).
  • Best practices for new teacher orientation and retention (REL Southeast).
  • New teacher academies (REL Midwest).

Preparing a diverse and culturally responsive teacher workforce

• A four-part REL Mid-Atlantic webinar series discusses how to improve educational equity through culturally responsive practices and policies in teacher preparation programs and schools. Part 4 in the series focuses on developing culturally responsive educators in preservice programs. (See also Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of the series.)
• Browse the following related responses from the Ask A REL reference desk:
  • Best practices in recruiting teacher candidates of color (REL Northeast & Islands).
  • Differential impact of admission or certification criteria on teacher candidates of color (REL Southeast).
  • Teacher training models and recruitment for indigenous language education programs (REL Pacific).
  • Preparing teacher candidates to use culturally responsive practices (REL Mid-Atlantic).

To learn more about building a diverse education workforce, see our blog post for actions that states, districts, and schools can take to increase teacher diversity.

Teacher certification and licensure

• Two REL FAQs address challenges related to teacher certification/licensure and meeting increased demands for substitute teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • A REL Central FAQ compiles resources states can use to support the teacher certification process when student teachers cannot complete onsite activities.
  • A REL Northeast & Islands FAQ compiles resources and strategies to help states address a possible increase in the demand for substitute teachers.
• Drawing on a 2017 online survey, a REL Northwest report describes limited certificated teachers and paraprofessionals in Washington, including their interest in becoming fully certificated, the barriers they faced in doing so, and the supports they reported needing to pursue full certification.
• A REL Northwest blog post highlights the Portland Public Schools Dual-Language Teacher Fellows Program, designed to provide alternative licensure for dual-language educators, and recommends a strategy for diversifying the teacher pipeline.
• Browse the following related responses from the Ask A REL reference desk:
  • Effects of alternative and emergency teacher certification routes (REL Southwest).
  • Effective alternative teacher licensing approaches (REL Midwest).
  • Effects of easing teacher preparation and certification requirements (REL Midwest).
  • Relationship between teacher performance on licensure or content examinations and student outcomes (REL Midwest).
  • Certification and licensure changes that resulted in overall gains in literacy or successful impacts for specific student populations (REL Mid-Atlantic).

Grow Your Own programs

• This REL Central webinar discusses the research on Grow Your Own preparation programs and features two examples: the Colorado Teacher Cadet Program and the Columbia Public Schools’ EdX Intern Program.
• A REL Central infographic illustrates how Missouri is using a Grow Your Own approach to support a diverse teacher workforce. Dive deeper with REL Central’s webinar on diversifying and growing the teacher pipeline through Grow Your Own programming.
• Browse the following related responses from the Ask A REL reference desk:
  • Grow Your Own programs focused on high schoolers (REL Northeast & Islands).
  • Research on Grow Your Own programs (REL Southeast).

Related REL research partnerships

Visit the following webpages to learn more about REL partnerships focused on or related to strengthening teacher preparation, including works in progress, resources, and events:

• REL Central Educator Pipeline Research Alliance.
• REL Mid-Atlantic Training and Supporting Excellent Educators Alliance.
• REL Midwest Alliance to Improve Teacher Preparation.
• REL Northeast & Islands Teacher Preparation Research Alliance.
• REL Northwest Idaho Educator Pipeline Research Alliance and Washington State Vibrant Teaching Force Alliance.
• REL Southwest Teacher Preparation and Professional Development Research Partnership.