Description
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking applications for the Expanding Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness of Special Education Teachers and Early Intervention Personnel Through Registered Apprenticeships program. The purpose of this program is to fund cooperative agreements that support registered apprenticeship programs designed to attract, prepare, and retain special education teachers or early intervention personnel. The program aims to address critical workforce shortages and improve recruitment and retention of special education teachers and early intervention personnel.
Key aspects of the program include:
* Increasing capacity of State agencies to develop, implement, scale-up, and sustain registered apprenticeship programs for special education teachers or early intervention personnel
* Supporting the development and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs that lead to certification for special education or early intervention personnel
* Using data-driven strategies and evidence-based approaches to increase recruitment, successful completion, and retention of special education teachers or early intervention personnel
* Creating targeted pathways for instructional assistants, paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, career changers, and other individuals to become certified special education teachers or early intervention personnel
* Aligning registered apprenticeship programs with State licensure requirements and establishing transparent, skill-based competency progressions for apprentices.