New Data Point on Changes in Public School Teachers’ Certification Type 

A new NCES Data Point report, Changes in Public School Teachers’ Certification Type, examines the prevalence of public school teachers who did not hold a teaching certificate or held only provisional or emergency teaching certificates in the state where they were teaching, as opposed to regular, standard, advanced, or probationary certificates. It looks at the prevalence over time, by selected teacher and school characteristics, and by state. 

Report: A First Look at Teacher Preparation Program Responses to AI 

AACTE recently partnered with the Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) to identify members with responsibility over teacher education and to encourage those members to participate in surveys and interviews about how teacher preparation programs are currently integrating artificial intelligence  (AI) into their curricula and instruction.  

The final report offers early insights into how schools of education are thinking about AI and offers recommendations for key stakeholders to accelerate AI integration and instruction within teacher preparation.  

Senior Leadership Teams in Colleges of Education: Call for Participation in Research 

Are you a dean of a college of education who leads a senior leadership team (SLT)? Have you ever wondered how to structure and lead this SLT to work collaboratively to achieve college-wide priorities?    

Research in SLTs demonstrates that they can improve organizational performance and decision-making when structured and led effectively. However, there is not much research on SLTs in higher education, especially at the college level. That is why as a doctoral graduate student at Frostburg State University, I am exploring this topic for my dissertation. I have been the assistant dean for Development and Alumni Relations at the University of Maryland College of Education for the past nine years. I have seen first-hand how SLTs have worked collaboratively to achieve remarkable results for their colleges. I have also observed SLTs struggle to find a purpose and to work as a team. 

President Signs Executive Order Supporting Hispanic-Serving Institutions and Awards Nearly $19 Million to HSIs in New Grants 

Secretary Cardona joined President Biden for an event celebrating Executive Order (EO) 14214, establishing the first-ever White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) alongside close to two dozen champions for these institutions. President Biden and Vice President Harris also announced nearly $19 million in transformational research infrastructure investments for five HSIs in Florida, Illinois, Texas, and Puerto Rico through the U.S. Department of Education’s Research and Development Infrastructure Program (RDI), which is providing a total of $49 million in funding to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). 

To remain the most competitive economy in the world, the nation’s most inclusive institutions of higher education that play a central role in educating students from diverse backgrounds must continue to lead in research and development. To advance this goal, the RDI grant program provides funds to HBCUs, TCCUs, and MSIs —including HSIs— to implement transformational investments in research infrastructure, including research productivity, faculty expertise, graduate programs, physical infrastructure, human capital development, and partnerships leading to increases in external funding. 

2023–24 California Statewide Assessment Results Show Overall Student Progress

Continued Gains Made by Students Across State; Accelerated Progress Made by Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students and in Multiple Districts

The California Department of Education (CDE) released assessment results that show continued progress made by California’s K–12 students, including accelerated progress in closing equity gaps for socioeconomically disadvantaged students, Black/African American students, and Hispanic/Latino students.

The results include data for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).

#AACTE25: Keynote Speakers Who Inspire Change and Innovation

The AACTE 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place February 21 – 23 in Long Beach, CA, will be a significant event for education professionals, featuring insightful presentations, groundbreaking discussions, and networking opportunities with thought leaders in the field.

At the Annual Meeting’s opening and closing keynote sessions, speakers Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., and Clint Smith, Ph.D., respectively, will engage the audience with their experiences, vision, and passion that will set the stage for transformative dialogue.

In Pennsylvania: More Than $5 Million Available for Schools to Increase STEM and Computer Science Programming 

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the availability of PAsmart Advancing Grants to expand access to computer science and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for learners across the commonwealth. 

“STEM and computer science skills prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, no matter what zip code they come from or where they plan to live in the future,” said Education Secretary Khalid Mumin. “Pennsylvania’s future depends on the development of a highly skilled workforce able to compete in the global economy. Equitable access to STEM and computer science programs gives students the skills they need to chart their own course and succeed.” 

Biden-Harris Administration Releases Proposed Rules to Authorize Debt Relief to Nearly Eight Million Borrowers Experiencing Hardship 

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced the next step in its ongoing efforts to provide student debt relief a set of proposed rules that, if finalized, would authorize loan forgiveness for approximately 8 million borrowers experiencing hardship. If these rules are finalized as proposed, the Secretary of Education could waive up to the entire outstanding balance of a student loan when the Department determines a hardship is likely to impair the borrowers ability to fully repay the loan or render the costs of continued collection of the loan unjustified. 

For far too long, our broken student loan system has made it too hard for borrowers experiencing heartbreaking and financially devastating hardships to access relief, and its not right, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The rules proposed by the Biden-Harris Administration today would provide hope to millions of struggling Americans whose challenges may make them eligible for student debt relief. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and I will not stop fighting to deliver student debt relief and create a fairer, more just, and more affordable student loan system for all borrowers.”  

Most U.S. Public Elementary and Secondary Schools Faced Hiring Challenges for the Start of the 2024–25 Academic Year

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released the latest round of findings from the School Pulse Panel (SPP). These SPP data examine the hiring cycle of summer 2024 and community collaborations during the 2024-25 school year, as reported by school leaders in U.S. public schools. All data can be found on the SPP interactive dashboard. Below is a summary of some key findings from this release.

Samira Bashiru Named October 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month

AACTE recognizes Samira Bashiru of Purdue University as the October 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Bashiru is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in special education who embodies the spirit of academic excellence and community engagement that defines the AACTE Holmes Scholars Program. Her journey from Ghana to the United States exemplifies her commitment to advancing inclusive education and supporting diverse learners.

Research Focus

Bashiru’s research centers on evidence-based strategies and practices that support families and enhance the creativity and development of children with or without disabilities. Her particular interest lies in creativity in culturally and linguistically diverse learners with real or perceived disabilities, a focus that addresses a critical need in today’s diverse educational landscape. She has published a systematic review listed at the end of the article entitled “Best Practices for English Learners with Disabilities in US Schools – A Systematic Review.” Currently, Bashiru is working on two research papers:

  1. Evidence-based practices for English Learners with disabilities
  2. Creativity in preschoolers with and without speech disorders

Stand for Equitable Education at #AACTE25 — Register by November 4

Most people care about the future of education — and AACTE members turn that commitment into action at the Annual Meeting. 

 This is your chance to help build a stronger foundation for tomorrow’s classrooms. Be among the nation’s educator preparation leaders and continue driving the change you’re passionate about at the AACTE 2025 Annual Meeting in Long Beach, CA, on February 21 – 23.  

AACTE Names Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy as Next President and CEO 

Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D.

AACTE announced today that Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., will become the new president and CEO, beginning January 6, 2025. Holcomb-McCoy joins AACTE after serving as a distinguished professor and dean of the School of Education at American University (AU) in Washington, D.C., for over eight years. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors of AACTE, I welcome Dr. Holcomb-McCoy as our next president and CEO,” said Marquita Grenot-Scheyer, Ph.D., chair of AACTE’s Board of Directors. “Dr. Holcomb-McCoy’s vision and passion for educators, students, and their families are clear, and her collaborative experiences in PK-12 through higher education will serve her well as she leads our organization forward.”   

During her tenure at AU, Holcomb-McCoy implemented various programs that heightened the visibility of the school within the University and on a national stage. Notably, at the start of her tenure at AU, the School of Education was housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, serving approximately 250 students. Under her direction, the unit became a stand-alone school in 2019 and now supports more than 1,500 students. 

Teacher Stories: Meet the Seven University of Northern Iowa Alumnae Teaching Third Grade in the Same District

This article was originally published on the University of Northern Iowa’s website and is reprinted with permission.

Photo credit: Sheri Miller

The seven teachers that comprise the third-grade team in the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District in Vinton, Iowa, all share a special bond. Not only do they connect as educators in the same community, but they all can trace their roots back to the top producer of teachers in the state: the University of Northern Iowa. They share the same foundation through UNI Teacher Education — and a special affinity for donning UNI gear on Panther Fridays.

“I think there is a sense of pride and respect for one another,” said Shelley Haisman, a 1995 graduate. “When you meet a teacher who has graduated from UNI, there is a sense that you know they are going to do a great job because they have been well trained.”