Study.com and RTI International Join Forces to Enhance Teacher Apprenticeship Access Nationwide

Collaboration Between Study.com and RTI International

In a significant move to bolster the teaching workforce in the United States, Study.com has announced a new partnership with RTI International to enhance access to registered apprenticeship programs in K-12 education. This collaboration aims to address the ongoing educator shortages by providing structured pathways for those aspiring to enter the teaching profession.

A Strategic Initiative to Support Teacher Pathways

The Educator Registered Apprenticeship (ERA) Intermediary, spearheaded by RTI International, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. The partnership focuses on supplying much-needed support to apprenticeship programs across the nation, thereby improving the educator workforce pipeline. Recognizing the barriers faced by potential teachers, Study.com has committed to providing licenses to its extensive online platform that includes K-12 curriculum, college courses, and test preparation resources.

In total, Study.com plans to distribute 1,000 licenses to various teacher apprenticeship programs affiliated with the ERA Intermediary. This offering is critical for programs operating with limited resources that currently impede access to comprehensive test preparation tools needed for aspiring educators.

Addressing Barriers in Teacher Preparation

Joyce Milling, an ERA state coach, highlighted the pressing issue of state licensure exams as a significant hurdle for prospective teachers. Despite securing funding for apprentices to retake those exams, many still struggle with preparation methods. The partnership with Study.com aims to provide a viable solution, ensuring these aspiring educators have the necessary tools at their disposal to succeed.

Research conducted in collaboration with ETS and Teach.org has shown promising results: candidates utilizing Study.com for their test preparation demonstrated increased success rates on the Praxis exam compared to their peers. For example, those retaking the exams in North Carolina who adhered to Study.com’s utilization standards had a remarkable 1.7 times higher pass rate. This data underscores the effectiveness of the platform in helping teacher candidates navigate the licensure process more successfully.

Expanding Benefits Beyond Test Preparation

Dana Bryson, the Senior Vice President of Social Impact at Study.com, emphasized the urgency of supporting aspiring teachers to alleviate the challenges of entering the classroom. With the current educator shortages, the partnership's impact could be far-reaching, offering resources that help cultivate a more robust education system ultimately benefiting all students.

Moreover, the initiative leverages Study.com’s broader social impact efforts, which include Keys to the Classroom, designed to assist aspiring educators in preparing for credentialing exams. This initiative has garnered significant recognition for its effectiveness, being awarded accolades such as the Tech Learning Back-to-School Awards of Excellence and being noted as the Best Adaptive / Personalized Learning Tool by THE Journal.

About Study.com and Its Commitment to Education

Study.com serves over 34 million learners and educators monthly, acknowledged for its innovative approach to online education. It has made a notable impact on educational access, especially for low-income individuals through initiatives like Working Scholars, which helps working adults earn bachelor’s degrees debt-free.

With a focus on enhancing teacher recruitment and training, this partnership with RTI International signifies a crucial step toward mitigating the educator shortage crisis. By refining teacher preparation pathways and reducing barriers to entry, the collaboration is set to result in a stronger, more qualified teaching workforce that can inspire future generations.

In conclusion, the Study.com and RTI International partnership is an essential development for teacher apprenticeships in the K-12 sector, reaffirming both organizations' commitment to improving educational outcomes and accessibility across the nation.