California has invested over $600 million in the Teacher Residency Grant Program (TRGP) to expand teacher residencies statewide. This evaluation brief examines the program’s growth over its initial 4 years of implementation with the goal of identifying opportunities to leverage the program effectively in its remaining years. The trends outlined in this brief raise several considerations for policymakers, including how the TRGP fits within the state’s broader teacher workforce goals, how to expand the TRGP to new LEAs while strengthening the impact of established residency programs, and how to address the small size of many residencies in relation to LEA workforce needs and the economies of scale necessary to support affordable and sustainable residency models.

Key takeaways:

  • The TRGP contributed to the growth of the residency pathway in California, although TRGP residents represented a relatively small proportion of educators who were prepared statewide.
  • The TRGP was adopted in areas of high need, but grant uptake was limited in large portions of the state, particularly in rural regions.
  • Most TRGP residencies enrolled a small number of residents relative to the number of substandard credentials issued in their host LEAs.
  • TRGP-funded residents enrolled at one third of California’s institutions of higher education. For the most part, these residents were a small number of those enrolled in teacher preparation programs within host colleges and universities.

Key recommendations for policymakers, state leadership, and TA providers:

  • Articulate statewide goals for scaling the residency pathway in California.
  • Upgrade and align statewide data systems to facilitate better insight into the impact of the TRGP and California’s other teacher workforce investments.
  • Adjust grant parameters to better support the growth and long-term sustainability of residency programs, including extending liquidation periods and increasing flexibility in how programs use their remaining funds.
  • Continue providing technical assistance support to help LEAs understand residency impact and plan to transition away from grant funding.