Policy & Advocacy Position

The United States is currently experiencing a severe educator shortage that requires immediate attention from the federal government. Nearly every state is facing a shortage of teachers in high-need subjects, with 43 states reporting shortages of special education teachers, 38 in math teachers, 37 in science teachers, and 27 in language teachers. According to 2023 data from NCES, 86% of U.S. K-12 public schools reported challenges hiring teachers for the 2023-24 school year. A study conducted by researchers at the Learning Policy Institute in 2023 found that “in addition to 27,844 vacant teaching positions nationally, 286,290 teachers did not meet state certification requirements, together representing 1 in 10 teaching positions nationwide.” Additionally, we are experiencing a representation challenge: only 20% of teachers nationally identify as people of color, while over 50% of public school students are students of color1.

The increasing shortage of qualified teachers has dire consequences for all students’ short- and long-term success, and disproportionately impacts students from low-income communities, further exacerbating educational disparities. This is a nationwide problem and federal investments in teacher recruitment and retention are essential. Breakthrough Collaborative believes that increased resources from the federal government are critical in addressing the nation’s educator workforce shortage.

Priority Policies

1. Increase Funding for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

At Breakthrough, we are committed to building a talented and well-prepared educator workforce that reflects the richness of our student populations. As part of this mission, we strongly support policies that expand and provide funding for pre-apprenticeship programs aimed at preparing future educators. These programs are essential for creating accessible and equitable pathways into the teaching profession, particularly for individuals from local communities that can support the needs of their community.

Policy Recommendations

To ensure that pre-apprenticeship programs can reach their full potential, we advocate for the following policy actions:

Federal and State Funding for Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Adequate funding is essential for the development and expansion of funding that can support pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare future educators. Federal and state governments should invest in these programs by allocating dedicated funding streams, including grants and financial aid, to support both participants and the institutions offering these pathways.

Collaboration Between School Districts and Higher Education Institutions

Policymakers should encourage strong partnerships between school districts, community colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations to implement pre-apprenticeship programs. These partnerships ensure that participants receive a high-quality, cohesive learning experience that prepares them for both teacher preparation programs and eventual classroom careers.

Wraparound Support for Participants

To ensure equitable access to pre-apprenticeship programs, policies should provide wraparound supports such as mentorship, academic advising, financial assistance for materials and transportation, and other services to help participants succeed.

Streamlined Pathways to Teacher Certification

Policymakers should ensure that pre-apprenticeship programs are aligned with teacher certification requirements, creating clear and streamlined pathways for participants to transition into teacher preparation programs, complete their certification, and enter the workforce.

2. Support High-Quality Grow Your Own Programs to Strengthen the Educator Workforce

Recruiting educators from within their own communities strengthens the bond between schools and the families they serve. Teachers who share a connection to the local community are more likely to understand the unique challenges and opportunities their students face, creating a foundation of trust and shared purpose. These educators can act as role models, inspire students with relatable life paths, and collaborate more effectively with families to support student success. Building a local educator pipeline ensures that schools are deeply rooted in their communities, fostering stronger, more resilient connections that benefit everyone.

High-quality Grow Your Own (GYO) programs are a vital tool in strengthening the educator workforce and ensuring students have access to teachers who understand and reflect their lived experiences. By supporting these programs, we can make significant strides toward an education system that benefits educators, students, and communities alike.

Policy Recommendations

Breakthrough Collaborative encourages policymakers at all levels to prioritize and invest in GYO programs to build a stronger educator workforce for the future. This includes policies that:

Provide Increased Funding for GYO Programs

Federal, state, and local governments should invest in the expansion and sustainability of GYO programs, particularly those serving high-need communities. This includes providing financial assistance for tuition, certification fees, and living expenses for participants.

Ensure Comprehensive Support Systems

GYO programs must be structured to provide wraparound supports such as mentorship, professional development, and access to educator preparation programs. These supports are essential for the success and retention of aspiring teachers.

Strengthen Partnerships

Policymakers should encourage strong partnerships between school districts, educator preparation programs, and community organizations to ensure GYO programs are responsive to local needs and provide high-quality pathways into the profession.

Require Data Collection and Accountability

To measure the effectiveness of GYO programs, it is essential to collect and analyze data on program outcomes, including teacher demographics, completion and retention rates, and student achievement. Policymakers should support transparent data collection and accountability mechanisms to ensure continuous improvement.

3. Support AmeriCorps Programs to Strengthen the Educator Workforce

Breakthrough Collaborative is committed to expanding opportunities for aspiring educators and strengthening the educator workforce. As a national leader in pre-apprenticeship models for teaching, we recognize the vital role that AmeriCorps programs play in developing a well-prepared pipeline of future educators. AmeriCorps provides invaluable service opportunities that equip emerging educators with hands-on classroom experience, mentorship, and professional development, all of which are critical to addressing the nation’s teacher shortages and ensuring that students—particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds—receive high-quality instruction. Each year, more than 800 of Breakthrough Collaborative’s teaching fellows serve as AmeriCorps members. Over the years, this support has allowed thousands of aspiring educators to access meaningful summer teaching experiences that help launch careers in education and public service.

Policy Recommendations

We urge policymakers to support and expand investment in AmeriCorps programs that strengthen the teacher workforce. This includes:

Restore and Increase Federal Funding for AmeriCorps Education Programs:

AmeriCorps must restore funding for critical AmeriCorps programs and ensure AmeriCorps dollars are spent in accordance with the law. This includes restoring funding for Breakthrough Collaborative programs across the country that provide critical support for aspiring educators. Indeed more funding is required to allow more AmeriCorps members to serve in education-focused roles, reducing barriers for aspiring educators and addressing teacher workforce shortages.

Increase Living Stipends and Benefits:

Competitive stipends, healthcare benefits, and loan forbearance will make AmeriCorps service more accessible to individuals from diverse economic backgrounds.

Strengthen Partnerships Between AmeriCorps and Teacher Preparation Programs:

Policymakers should encourage AmeriCorps partners to collaborate with colleges, universities, and alternative certification pathways can create more seamless transitions from service to full-time teaching careers.

Recognize AmeriCorps Service as a Valuable Pre-Apprenticeship Model:

Policymakers should formally recognize AmeriCorps participation as a high-quality pre-apprenticeship experience that accelerates the development of effective educators. This is in line with the Administration’s emphasis on apprenticeship programs and serves the needs of the educator workforce and career readiness programs.

4. Support and Expand Teacher Quality Partnerships (TQP) to Include Educator Pre-Preparation and Baccalaureate Programs

The quality of education in the United States is directly linked to the preparation and development of our nation’s teachers. The TQP program, authorized under Title II of the Higher Education Act, has been instrumental in improving teacher preparation through residency-based partnerships between higher education institutions and high-need school districts. To cultivate a robust teacher workforce, we must support and expand the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program to include not only traditional teacher residency and preparation models but also educator pre-preparation and undergraduate programs as eligible entities. By supporting the full continuum of teacher preparation, from early-stage programs to advanced residency models, we can address the long term teacher workforce crisis and build a more effective and sustainable teacher workforce that meets the needs of all students. Breakthrough encourages the expansion of TQP eligibility to ensure the continued growth of a high-quality educator workforce.

Policy Recommendations

To fully realize the potential of expanding the Teacher Quality Partnership program, Breakthrough supports policies that:

Provide ongoing support to the Teacher Quality Partnership Program:

Congress and the Department of Education must continue to fully fund and implement TQP as required by law.

Expand TQP Eligibility to Include Pre-Preparation Programs:

Congress and the Department of Education should expand the definition of eligible entities to include high school educator career pathways and other pre-preparation programs that engage future teachers early in their academic careers.

Include Baccalaureate Programs as Eligible Entities:

Baccalaureate-level teacher preparation programs should be explicitly eligible for TQP grants to improve access, quality, and support for students pursuing a four-year degree in education.

Additional Areas of Focus

We know that we cannot solve this crisis alone. In order to address the educator shortage crisis and diversify the educator workforce, Breakthrough Collaborative also supports federal policies that advance the following:

1. Attracting Potential Educators to the Teaching Profession

Teaching is a dynamic, exciting, and honorable profession. The nationwide educator shortage is a crisis, and too many talented, passionate individuals discount the opportunity to explore the teaching profession. Breakthrough Collaborative supports policies that expand access and entry into the teaching profession, especially for more underrepresented populations within the teacher workforce.

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This includes policies that:
  • Provide resources specifically for teacher recruitment and training
  • Actively recruit young people on college campuses and in community spaces
  • Create incentives for joining the educator workforce
  • Support high quality pre-apprenticeship programs that allow young people to experience teaching
  • Shift the narrative about the role of educators in our country

2. Ensuring Aspiring Teachers have Proper Training and Support

High quality training and support for new and potential teachers is critical to ensuring long-term teacher and student success. Research shows that educators who enter the profession through less comprehensive preparation pathways are two to three times more likely to leave the profession than those who receive comprehensive preparation. Breakthrough Collaborative supports federal policies that invest in comprehensive teacher preparation.

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This includes policies that:
  • Provide practice/experiential-based training, including time in the classroom with supervision and support
  • Create highly supportive environments including ensuring all trainees have readily accessible mentors and opportunities for feedback
  • Provide training that is coherent and culturally responsive
  • Commit financial support and incentives during training

3. Supporting the Teacher Pipeline for All Educators

The key to student success is the relationship between student and teacher. Research demonstrates that educators of color benefit all students and can have a significant positive impact on students of color, including higher levels of student achievement. Educators of color face unique barriers to entering and staying in the profession. Breakthrough Collaborative supports federal policies that promote evidence-based methods for ensuring the teacher workforce is representative of the student population.

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This includes policies that:
  • Ensure all recruitment and training policies target and support underrepresented communities
  • Provide culturally relevant support to potential educators of color
  • Address the college completion gap
  • Create and publicize more accessible, coherent pathways for teacher training and certification
  • Create stronger financial incentives for entering the teacher profession, particularly for individuals from low-income backgrounds and in low-income communities
  • Partner with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) of higher education and invest resources in comprehensive teacher training programs at these institutions

About Breakthrough Collaborative

Breakthrough Collaborative is one of the largest teacher pipeline programs in the country. Our cost-effective model recruits and develops diverse young leaders from colleges across the country, introducing them to the teaching profession while serving as near-peer mentors to middle and high school students from under-resourced communities.

Every year, Breakthrough Collaborative introduces college students to careers in teaching by mobilizing potential educators from over 270 colleges and universities around the country, connecting more than 1,000 undergraduate Teaching Fellows with more than 10,000 students. After receiving this real-world, relevant teaching experience with meaningful training and support, 3 out of 4 Breakthrough Teaching Fellows go on to enter the education profession.

With over 45 years of experience, and a network of more than 40,000 alumni, Breakthrough Collaborative is improving outcomes for historically underrepresented groups in our school systems – as college graduates and educational leaders. Federal support to expand access to Breakthrough’s programs and supportive model can play a critical role in addressing the educator workforce shortage.

1According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), in the 2017–18 school year, 79% of public school teachers were White and non-Hispanic, 9% of teachers were Hispanic (of any race), and 7% were Black and non-Hispanic, 2% identified as Asian and non-Hispanic, 2% as two or more races and non-Hispanic, and less than 1% as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic.