Educator Registered Apprenticeship (ERA) Intermediary

A diverse educator workforce is a benefit to all students, particularly students of color, yet the diversity of the workforce does not always mirror student populations. Enhancing access to high-quality, clinically rich preparation is a strategy for workforce diversification, including strengthening Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) practices and programs that provide a living wage to prospective teachers while they become certified. 

Purpose

As states, districts, and EPPs work to strengthen the educator workforce, Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs are being developed for K–12 teachers, paraeducators, and principals. As an evidenced-based workforce development strategy, RA programs have the potential to recruit a more diverse teacher workforce and positively impact teacher effectiveness, preparedness, and retention through paid on-the-job learning. 

WestEd is partnering with RTI International, the New America Foundation, TeachMEducation Services, and Gateway Education Partners as an intermediary to support states, districts, and EPPs in launching, promoting, and expanding Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAPs) across the country through technical assistance, research, and resource development.  

Audiences Served

WestEd provides free technical assistance support to states, districts, education preparation programs, and other related partners in the design, development, and implementation of RA programs in the education sector.

Project Activities

WestEd supports the ERA Intermediary by providing coaching, technical assistance, and resource development in two key areas: 

• strategies for blending and braiding funds and using innovative design and planning to establish financially sustainable programs that are affordable to teacher candidates 
• development and implementation of programs that center diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility 

Project Director

Dana Grayson

Dana Grayson, Director of WestEd’s Teacher Workforce team, is an expert in educator workforce development, leading initiatives to enhance teacher quality and diversity through data-driven policies and partnerships.

Funder

WestEd is a subcontractor of RTI International, who receives federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Contract number 1605C2-23-C-0014. 

Project Duration

June 2023–June 2028