Biden-Harris Administration Proposes New Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) Plan

The Biden-Harris Administration today announced a new proposal to reduce the cost of federal student loan payments, especially for low- and middle-income borrowers.

While AACTE is generally supportive of the proposal, which according to a fact sheet will make college more affordable for perspective educators, additional steps must be taken to address the nationwide shortage of highly qualified, diverse teachers in our classrooms.  AACTE looks forward to working with the Administration, Congress and state officials to develop and implement policies that achieve these goals.

College of Education Research Team Explores Nation’s K-12 Teacher Needs

(From left:) Molly Fisher, Ph.D., professor of STEM education in the College of Education and principal investigator; and REU student fellows Jacquelyn Armstrong and Alexandra Boardman.

A new study designed at the University of Kentucky College of Education is gauging the types of supports teachers across the nation need in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on schools. It is supported by a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) grant from the National Science Foundation.

“We are seeking K-12 teachers from anywhere in the U.S. who taught during the pandemic, or who were student teaching during the pandemic, to respond to a survey that will collect information on access to resources and the types of demands being faced as our schools return to normal,” said Molly Fisher, Ph.D., principal investigator and professor of STEM education in the College of Education.

Teachers willing to participate in the study can take the survey now. Responses will help researchers share information that will lead to equipping teachers to meet the demands of the current educational system, Fisher said.

In the States: Indiana Superintendents Struggle to Fill Positions with Qualified Candidates

The new “In the States” feature by Kaitlyn Brennan is a weekly update to keep members informed on state-level activities impacting the education and educator preparation community.

In a recent survey of school superintendents across the state of Indiana, 95% of respondents say they are contending with a shortage of qualified candidates to fill vacant teaching positions. School district leadership identified the greatest shortage areas continue to be special education, science, math, English, foreign language, and elementary education. The survey was sent to all 291 traditional public school superintendents in Indiana, which resulted in 176 responses, or a 60.5% response rate.

Supporting the Educator Profession with COVID Funds

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Congress passed several pieces of legislation to support the safe re-opening of schools and address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives and learning of students.  Funds included in the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds played a critical role in helping achieve these and related goals.

Connect, Advocate, and Innovate at #AACTE23

Register by January 6 to lock in the lowest rate.

Educator preparation advocates are invited to join peers and be among the nation’s thought leaders at the 2023 AACTE Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on February 24–26. Join us in exploring the latest research and practices to ensure a bright future for all learners.

Now is the time to reserve your spot at #AACTE23! Time is running out before prices increase — get the lowest rate by Friday, January 6.

Not an AACTE member? Join AACTE today.

AACTE’s 75 Days | 75 Ways Campaign Offers Innovative Ways to Support Educators and Educator Prep in the New Year

AACTE continues its 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Education campaign launched in December, a celebration of AACTE members taking a leading role in advancing educator preparation for 75 years.

Recent tips encourage education leaders to consider how to make positive changes in the profession.

“My advice to all educators is to find your way from isolation to collaboration and flexibility by creating teams of teachers with distributed expertise,” said Arizona State University Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College Dean Carole Basile, Ed.D.

A New Program Will Train Teachers to Teach Climate Change, Without the ‘Doom and Gloom’

Climate change is expected to affect every facet of our lives, and students are hungry to learn more about it. Many experts say the topic goes beyond science class and should be woven through subjects and grade levels.

Yet more than three-quarters of teachers have never received any professional training or education on climate change or how to teach it, according to a nationally representative survey of teachers, conducted by the EdWeek Research Center in December.

Texas State Teacher Education Program Selected as Raising Texas Teachers Partner

Texas State University’s teacher education program has been selected as a Raising Texas Teachers partner, a 10-year, $50 million statewide teacher workforce initiative supported by the Charles Butt Foundation. 

“This recognition speaks to our university’s historic roots as a teacher’s college up to our role today in graduating more teachers fully prepared for the classroom than any other university in Texas,” said Michael O’Malley, dean of the College of Education at Texas State. “Working with the Charles Butt Foundation has been a transformative partnership for our teacher education program that benefits not only our students, but the children they will educate throughout their careers.”  

Texas State joins 15 universities currently participating in partner teacher programs across the state.  

Jingjing Liu Named Holmes Scholar of the Month

Congratulations to Jingjing Liu, Holmes Scholar of the Month. Liu is a Ph.D. candidate in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership Program with a concentration in higher education administration at the College of William & Mary. Her dissertation, titled “Faculty Involvement in Vertical Transfer: A Case Study of A Rural Community College,” explores the role of community college faculty in supporting transfer students. Liu’s research agenda focuses on the educational experiences of marginalized groups and social, cultural, and political contexts of learning in higher education.

Kentucky School Leaders Prepare December Grads for Interviews, Teaching Careers

(Left to right:) Karen Lymon, Megan Barnes, John Moore, Chelsea Clark, Cynthia Bruno and Michael Price.

When University of Kentucky clinical instructor Joni Meade prepares to say goodbye to each class of teacher candidates from the UK College of Education, one of her final tasks is assembling a group of Kentucky school personnel. 

Together, the school personnel — principals and other district leaders — create a simulation for graduating seniors in elementary education to put the finishing touches on their interviewing skills and prepare for the hiring process.  

Register for #AACTE23: Attend the Premier Educator Preparation Meeting

Beat the Price Increase and Register by January 6

Are you ready to join your peers at the AACTE 75th Annual Meeting and be among the nation’s leading thought leaders exploring the latest research and practices in revolutionizing education for all learners? Now is the time to reserve your spot at the largest professional gatherings for the educator preparation field. Register by the January 6 to take advantage of the early bird savings.

2023-24 Holmes Council Call for Nominations is Now Open

AACTE and Holmes Scholars Council are pleased to announce the call for nominations to serve on the 2023-2024 Holmes Council. Both current Holmes Program doctoral and master’s students are eligible and encouraged to run for office. The Council partners with AACTE and serves as a student voice to communicate the needs and experiences of scholars and enhance the Holmes programming.

Joining the Holmes National Council has been an amazing opportunity to serve my peers alongside talented and creative fellow council members. So far, I have enjoyed my time and experience as the President of the Council. This opportunity has allowed me to better understand and further develop my interests in cross-cultural competence, leadership, and service. As president, my duties include convening and leading the Council executive board meetings, assisting on various committees, and serving as a spokesperson for the AACTE Holmes Program. I am grateful for the supportive spirit of my fellow Council members and the cultural sensitivity that has characterized our collaborative working environment. I am so happy I gave this opportunity a shot! I encourage you all to consider this wonderful leadership and service opportunity.  

-Oumarou Abdoulaye Balarabe, Holmes Council President 2021-2023 Holmes Scholar at Ohio University

AACTE’s New Advocacy Campaign is Underway: Members Share Ways to Support Education and Educator Preparation

AACTE is amplifying the voices of its member advocates for education and educator preparation through the AACTE 75 Days | 75 Ways to Advocate for Education campaign, a celebration of AACTE’s role as a leader in advancing educator preparation for 75 years.

“It is extremely important that we place the needs of students at the center of all we do,” says AACTE Board of Directors Chair-Elect Monika Williams Shealy. “In order to do that, we need to support educators who are advocating on behalf of their students and themselves and we need to make sure that we are advocating for education preparation.”

Congress Releases Spending Bills

Congress released the details of the annual spending agreement reached this week that will fund most of the federal government, including the Department of Education, for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

By law, these bills should have been completed by September 30. However, due to disagreements over various spending and other legislative priorities between the two parties and the House and Senate, the government has been funded by a series of continuing resolutions, which financed the government at previously agreed upon levels.

Senate Strikes Efforts to Overturn Rules on Allocating Federal Funds to Charter Schools

This weekly Washington Update is intended to keep members informed on Capitol Hill activities impacting the educator preparation community. The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of AACTE.

On Friday afternoon President Biden signed a short-term funding bill, otherwise known as a continuing resolution or CR, that will keep the government open and funded through December 23. The CR keeps the government open and freezes funding levels at their FY22 levels while appropriators finalize a deal for the FY23 spending bill. Stay tuned as we now have one final busy week in Washington before Members of Congress break for the holiday.