The Promise of Teacher Residencies in Texas
The Learning Policy Institute (LPI), Charles Butt Foundation and Raise Your Hand Texas hosted a policy briefing on Preparing and Retaining a High-Quality Teacher Workforce in Texas: The Promise of Teacher Residencies. The briefing took place on February 6, 2025, at Raise Your Hand Texas offices.
The research presented from the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) sheds light on Texas’s teacher workforce and preparation pathways, particularly focusing on the effectiveness of teacher residencies. Their findings offer valuable insights into how the state can sustain these investments and further strengthen its efforts to cultivate a high-quality, resilient teacher workforce.
Research was presented by Jennifer Bland, senior researcher with the Learning Policy Institute followed by a panel discussion with Dr. Josh Jones, director of educator preparation services at Tarleton University, and Dr. Steve Wojcikiewicz, senior researcher and policy advisor with the Learning Policy Institute and Max Rombado of Raise Your Hand Texas.
Highlights from the research presentation:
Components of high-quality residencies:
- Teacher candidates work over a full academic year alongside expert mentor teachers before becoming teachers of record.
- Candidates gradually assume more responsibilities throughout the residency year.
- Coursework from educator preparation programs is tightly integrated with residency experiences.
- Strong partnerships between preparation programs and school districts ensure effective program design and progress monitoring.
- Some residencies provide stipends to alleviate financial barriers, making high-quality preparation more accessible.
If you missed the webinar, you can watch the recording below and explore LPI’s research reports on teacher residencies in Texas. These reports offer detailed analyses of implementation strategies, educator perceptions, and policy considerations essential for sustaining and scaling these programs statewide. To learn more on how to advocate for a strong teacher workforce in Texas, get involved at Raise Your Hand Texas.
Watch the Presentation
Video Presentation
February 06, 2025
09:00 AM - 10:00 AM