Boost Student Success: Apply for Teacher Quality Partnership Grants

You might care about this because the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Labor are seeking applications for a program designed to improve teacher quality across the country. This initiative is called the Teacher Quality Partnership Program, or TQP. Its main goal is to improve student success by making sure teachers are well-prepared and continuously improving their skills. The program also holds colleges and universities accountable for training teachers who meet State licensing rules. A key part of this program is attracting talented people into teaching. It specifically aims to help schools in areas with high needs and subjects where there are not enough teachers. The program supports partnerships that can set up training programs, including an interesting approach using Registered Apprenticeships for new teachers. These partnerships must involve a high-need local school district, a high-need school or early childhood program, and a college or university. The college or university must include both an education department and an arts and sciences department. These partnerships can apply for grants up to $2,000,000 to either reform existing teacher training at the pre-baccalaureate or "fifth-year" level, or to create teacher residency programs for new graduates or professionals changing careers. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026. This program is designed to make a real difference in how teachers are trained and supported, leading to better education for students. This program is particularly interesting because it introduces a modern approach to teacher preparation. For the first time, it supports the use of Registered Apprenticeships as a way to train and certify new teachers. This means that future teachers can learn through hands-on experience, much like other skilled trades, and earn credentials based on what they can actually do. This is important for preparing teachers, especially for schools that have trouble finding and keeping good staff. This method helps make sure that teachers gain practical skills and experience from the start. Another important aspect is its focus on "eligible partnerships." This ensures that different groups work together. These groups include local school districts, individual schools, early childhood programs, and universities. This cooperative effort means that teacher training is directly linked to the real needs of schools and students. By linking teacher education to the needs of high-need schools and subjects experiencing shortages, the program directly helps solve critical staffing problems in education. It also promotes careful planning for career paths and workforce readiness in teaching. This program sets a new standard for how we can prepare and support educators. Many groups would be interested in this legal document. First, local educational agencies, or LEAs, that serve high-need areas are a primary audience. This includes individual high-need schools and early childhood education programs within those areas. Colleges and universities, especially those with strong education departments and arts and sciences departments, are also key interested parties. These institutions can form the core of the required partnerships. Beyond these central players, other organizations can join these partnerships. This includes State government offices like the Governor's office, State educational agencies, and State boards of education. Businesses that want to support education, public or private non-profit educational organizations, and educational service agencies might also find this relevant. Teacher organizations, high-performing LEAs that can offer their expertise, and charter schools are also mentioned as potential partners. Even departments within universities focused on psychology or child development could participate. Anyone involved in teacher training, educational policy, or improving student outcomes, especially in disadvantaged areas, should review this information carefully.