EDUCATOR PREPARATION
PARTNERSHIP PATHWAYS
Bridging Pathways.
Building the Future Educator Workforce.
Strengthening educator preparation through aligned partnerships between community colleges, universities, and school districts.
Creating seamless, supported pathways from entry to classroom impact.
Why This Matters
The Path Isn't Clear -
And Too Many Future Educators Are Getting Lost
45%
of Texas community college transfer students complete a bachelor's degree within six years.
Completion rates are even lower for Black students and adult learners.
Core Insight
The system isn't failing because of a lack of interest—it's failing because of fragmented pathways.
Key Reality
The Data Tells a Clear Story
Community college students are the hidden majority of tomorrow's teacher workforce - and they're ready to serve.
45%
of teacher candidates are community college transfers
96%
intend to transfer to a
4-year institution
77%
already plan to become
teachers
76.7%
complete the wrong degree
(AA instead of AAT)—causing lost credits
The intent is there. The system isn't aligned to support it.
What Is Partnership Pathways
A Connected System for Future Educators
Partnership Pathways brings together school districts, community colleges, and educator preparation programs to create aligned, supported, and transparent pathways into the teaching profession — with a shared commitment to "learn local and teach local."
These regional collaboratives are designed to:
- Remove friction from transfer and enrollment
- Align coursework and certification pathways
- Provide real-time advising and support
- Connect preparation directly to employment
Regional Proof
Built in Real Communities
Local collaboration delivering scalable impact across Texas.
Region 01
Houston
5 Universities + 7 Community Colleges
A large-scale collaborative model coordinating educator pipelines across Greater Houston's metropolitan partners.
Region 02
Waco
Universities + ISDs + Community Colleges
Central Texas collaboration aligning districts, universities, and community colleges around a shared pipeline vision.
Region 03
Fort Worth
University + District + Community Colleges
A tri-partner partnership model serving North Texas with integrated teacher preparation and placement.
- Local collaboration. Scalable impact. -
The GYO Pathway
A Clear Path from Student to Teacher
Grow Your Own (GYO) programs create a self-sustaining local educator pipeline. Every stage is intentionally connected.
Stage One
High School
Early college coursework through CTE/EiT programs, including earning an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT).
Stage Two
Community College
Complete the AAT, gain field experiences, and build classroom skills — affordably, locally, and with advising support.
Stage Three
Educator Preparation
A 2-year post-AAT or 4-year program with targeted coursework, a residency year, and teacher certification.
Stage Four
Certified Teacher
Employed as a full-time teacher in the GYO district — day-one ready, community-invested, and built to stay.
The Research Is Clear
Local Teachers and High-Quality Clinical Experiences Improve Retention and Quality
Grow Your Own isn't just idealism — it's a proven strategy backed by evidence.
2-3x
More Likely to Stay
Local-origin teachers are two to three times more likely to remain in their schools beyond year three compared to externally recruited teachers.
Significantly
Higher Retention via Residencies
District clinical experiences (residencies) lead to significantly higher teacher retention rates — strengthening school stability and reducing ongoing
recruitment costs.
Quality
GYO Increases Effectiveness
Grow Your Own pathways increase overall workforce teacher effectiveness - resulting in a more stable, skilled teaching force for districts and better outcomes for students.
What US PREP Activates
Turning Fragmented Systems Into Aligned Pathways
US PREP leads the work to build the infrastructure, partnerships, and systems that make seamless pathways possible.
1. Build sustainable partnerships across institutions
2. Establish clear articulation agreements
3. Improve advising systems and navigation support
4. Promote AAT and aligned credentials
5. Expand paid apprenticeships and residencies
6. Align with policy and funding (HB 8, etc.)
7. Increase recruitment and awareness pipelines
Why It Works
Built for the Students Who Will Teach Our Communities
Community college students bring something irreplaceable to the classroom—and the data shows it.
Community College Students Bring:
- Local commitment
- Diverse lived experience
- Strong ties to the communities they will serve
When pathways are clear and support is aligned, future educators don't just enter the profession - they stay and lead.
Build Stronger Pathways in Your Region
Let's align your educator pipeline. Whether you're starting fresh or strengthening an existing partnership,
US PREP is ready to help you build what's next.
