More than $28 million in grants will support teacher recruitment, preparation, and development through the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program. The initiative, recently announced by the Biden-Harris administration, aims to bolster the country’s educator workforce, focusing on diversity and effectiveness in classrooms nationwide
The department awarded 18 TQP grants to institutions in high-need communities, including universities and school boards across multiple states. These grants fund programs designed to prepare teachers through undergraduate studies, teaching residency programs, and apprenticeships for career changers and community members interested in teaching. Special emphasis was placed on “Grow-Your-Own” programs, which encourage local students and professionals to pursue teaching careers, enhancing educator diversity.
“Nothing matters more in public education than making sure every child has access to great teachers, and that means well-prepared, well-supported, well-compensated, and fully empowered teachers,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release. “Today’s announcement is the result of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to making record investments in teacher residency programs, Grow-Your-Own programs, teacher apprenticeship and other comprehensive, high-quality, locally-driven, evidence-based educator preparation initiatives. If we want to Raise the Bar for our students and create an educator workforce that reflects the beautiful diversity of this country, we must expand and support new pathways into the teaching profession.”
In addition to the TQP grants, the department released new data showing significant progress in Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Since the start of the Biden administration, nearly 947,000 borrowers, including many educators, have been approved for PSLF, up from just 7,000 previously. This marks a substantial improvement in delivering loan forgiveness to public service workers across all states.
The administration has increased annual funding for educator preparation programs by 34%, expanded apprenticeship programs for teachers across 38 states, and continues to address longstanding issues with the student loan system.
