Appendix: Overview of GYO Competitive Grant Programs

New America recently conducted a nationwide scan that spotlights the wide range of GYO programs that exist throughout the country. Drawing from these findings, this report considers state-run competitive grant programs that provide funding to local partnerships that help candidates earn teaching certification and, in some cases, a university degree. This report does not highlight the various states providing scholarships, stipends, or tuition assistance to GYO candidates; more information about these programs can be found in our Grow Your Own Teachers: A 50-State Scan of Policies and Programs.¹ Each description below (in alphabetical order) includes information from state statute and competitive grant program guidance materials.

California

California Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program

In effect between 1995–2011, the program provided competitive funds to school districts, county offices of education, and/or consortia to help paraeducators earn associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and teaching credentials, particularly in the areas of bilingual, special education, or K–3. A maximum of $3,500 per candidate was provided annually for tuition, fees, books, and other costs. Recipients commit to teaching one year for each year they receive assistance.² During 2008–09 mid-year budget negotiations, funds for the program were reduced and the program was absorbed into a flexible block grant made available to LEAs as part of the state’s new Local Control Funding Formula. Enrollment was suspended in 2011.³ In 2016–17, the legislature provided $45 million in funding for the new California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program, ⁴ which provides $4,000, per year, to partnerships helping school employees earn their undergraduate degrees and teaching credential.⁵

Colorado

Grow Your Own Educator Program

The grant program first went into effect in 2018 and is designed to address teacher shortages in rural education (PK–12), world languages (PK–12), mathematics (7–12), science (7–12), and English as a second language.⁶ Grant money can be used by districts or charter schools to help fund paraeducators’ degree completion. To qualify for funding, candidates must exhaust existing federal or state need-based or merit-based financial aid (e.g., college opportunity fund stipend). Districts fund the final two-thirds of credits (candidates come into the program with the first third of credits). For each of the three academic years of employment, candidates are credited with repaying one-third of the tuition paid by the school. This program was discontinued in 2020.⁷

Illinois

Grow Your Own Illinois

In 2005, the legislature allocated $1.5 million to help prepare a pipeline for teachers who can work in hard-to-staff schools.⁸ A year later, another $3 million was allocated in competitive grants for “consortia” (partnerships consisting of at least one four-year institution of higher education, along with teacher preparation programs, school districts, community organizations) that recruited and prepared local candidates. Initially, the GYO initiative consisted of 16 consortiums in high-need communities, which funded a wide variety of activities including recruitment, tutoring services, and tuition assistance.⁹ In 2015, a budget impasse cut funding, which shuttered most programs; a New America nationwide scan of GYO programs identified only five existing programs.¹⁰ Recently, legislation amended the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Act to change the administering entity from the Board of Higher Education to Grow Your Own Illinois.¹¹ Amending legislation also added the definition of “dual credit course” and made it possible for high school students enrolled in a dual credit course to be included in teacher education cohorts.¹²

Massachusetts

Teacher Diversification Pilot Program

The program provides $2 million in competitive funding to GYO initiatives that implement recruitment and retention strategies to help increase the diversity of the state’s teacher workforce.¹³ Grants can be used for financial support of paraeducators, district graduates, recent college graduates, and provisionally licensed teachers; for tuition assistance to support enrollment in, and completion of, an approved educator preparation program; or for assessment preparation and fees. Districts may also use the grant to provide financial incentives, including loan payment reimbursement, relocation assistance, and signing bonuses, to support local school district recruitment efforts.¹⁴ Additionally, the grant funds GYO initiatives, including the development of an education-specific pathway for high school students and coordinated support for paraprofessionals in the attainment of a bachelor's degree.¹⁵ In return for funding, teachers must commit to teaching in a district for a minimum of 4 years and commit to teaching students for racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds. The current grant cycle current funds 14 school districts.¹⁶

Minnesota

Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway

In 2016, the Minnesota legislature funded ($1.5 million per FY) the Paraprofessionals to Teachers program to support graduate-level teacher residency programs offered by two IHEs and three districts (including St. Paul and Minneapolis). This program offered tuition scholarships or stipends to school district employees or community members with bachelor’s degrees who wanted to earn their teaching certification.¹⁷ In 2017, the state’s first comprehensive Increase Teachers of Color Act was approved, which made an additional $1.5 million available for any school district with more than 30 percent students of color to partner with approved IHEs to establish residency programs that help candidates with bachelor’s degrees earn their certification.¹⁸ The other GYO provisions in the Increase Teachers of Color Act that passed in 2017 expanded efforts with $375,000 in new funding for districts and IHEs to develop and offer dual-credit postsecondary course options in schools for "Introduction to Teaching" or "Introduction to Education" courses that encourage secondary school students to pursue teaching.¹⁹ In 2019, amendment legislation that provided additional funding.²⁰ Additional amendment legislation was proposed in 2020, which would expand eligibility of state-funding residency programs to candidates without bachelor’s degrees, among other changes, but did not pass.²¹

New York

Teacher Diversity Pipeline Pilot

The state FY 2019–20 budget set aside $500,000 in competitive funding to GYO programs, over five years, to assist paraeducators without a bachelor’s degree in earning teacher certification, address teacher shortages, and diversify the teaching workforce starting in 2019.²² Administered by the education department, the program must use funds towards student stipends, academic and non-academic supports, and administrative costs. Grantees must create partnerships consisting of one or more high-needs school districts and an institution of higher education.²³

Ohio

A state statute authorizes the department of education to establish a grant program that may include supporting the implementation of GYO programs, but the state does not currently provide funding for these efforts.²⁴

Oregon

Next Generation Educator Recruitment and Development Account

In 2019, the House of Representatives proposed $16.7 million for the Next Generation Educator Recruitment and Development Account to support the expansion of GYO educator pathway programs. Managed by the department of education, it would fund school districts that partner with colleges to recruit diverse candidates, provide culturally responsive mentoring, offer training on cultural competency and social-emotional needs, and secure a commitment of two years from candidates. Funds could be used towards forgivable loans, student stipends, and administrative costs, to be distributed based on the number of participants, and not to exceed $5,000 per participant. The grant program was not signed into law.²⁵

Tennessee

Grow Your Own Competitive Grant

The state recently launched the Grow Your Own Competitive Grant, which will offer $2 million in funds to create new and expand existing GYO programs preparing teachers in high-need licensure areas. Funding for the program is drawn from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.²⁶

Texas

Grow Your Own

Administered by the Texas Educational Agency, the grant program is designed to improve teacher diversity and address teacher shortages, particularly in small and rural districts.²⁷ Starting in 2018, competitive funds are awarded for: (1) training courses at the high school level, (2) partnerships that support paraeducators, aides, and substitutes, and (3) residencies.²⁸ The 2019–21 cycle funded certification for more than 150 paraeducators, residencies for 100 teacher candidates, and expanded education programs for 52 high schools.²⁹

Washington

Alternative Routes Block Grant

Through a 2015 legislative appropriation,³⁰ Washington offers two-year competitive grants to alternative route programs designed for: (1) district staff (e.g., paraeducators) with an associate degree, (2) district staff with a bachelor’s degree, (3) career changers with a bachelor’s degree, and (4) district staff members with a bachelor’s degree and a limited certificate. Programs must apply as partnerships consisting of at least a teacher preparation program and a school district.³¹ The Professional Standards Board administers the program and can award $600,000 for 2020–22—about 100 candidate seats per year.³²