Compendium of K-12 Educator Pipeline Programs: South Region

Teach KY: Teaching and Learning Career Pathway

The Teaching and Learning Career Pathway is a statewide initiative led by the Kentucky Department of Education to introduce high school students to the field of education and prepare them for postsecondary studies. Students complete four pathway-aligned courses—three required and one elective—focusing on foundational topics such as learning theory, classroom practice, educational psychology, and the social foundations of education.

Participants can earn dual credit through partnerships with Kentucky colleges and universities, including opportunities funded by the Work Ready Kentucky Dual Credit Scholarship. The curriculum balances academic and clinical experiences and includes options to earn career readiness credentials.

State

Led by: Kentucky Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: Students are encouraged to join Educators Rising, a recognized career and technical student organization (CTSO), which supports leadership development, statewide competitions, and community-building among aspiring educators. They also have the option to earn career readiness credentials through Educators Rising micro-credentials, Pre-PAC certification, or the TRACK youth apprenticeship program.
• Hands-on learning experiences: Students gain hands-on exposure to the teaching profession by participating in supervised field experiences within K-12 classrooms. Activities may include observing instruction, assisting teachers, working with small groups, or leading short lessons. Experiences are designed to expose students to various grade levels and settings, helping them build practical skills and explore career interests.

Teach Oklahoma

Teach Oklahoma provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to explore teaching by completing clinical teaching exercises, such a tutoring or small group instruction, in classrooms across the state.

State

Led by: Oklahoma Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Hands-on learning experiences: Students engage in clinical exercises, such as small group instruction, and learn about classroom diversity, child development, and student learning styles through hands-on experience.

Teacher Cadet Program

The Teacher Cadet program is a one-year program that gives high school students the opportunity to complete one education course and conduct classroom observations to explore the teaching profession. 188 high schools across South Carolina participate in the Teacher Cadet program with 2,991 participants annually.

Nonprofit organization

Led by: Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: Students earn a Carnegie unit (high school credit) toward their high school diploma upon successful completion of the course.
• Hands-on learning experiences: Students complete classroom observations and gain early field experience while still in high school.

Ready, Set, Teach

The Ready, Set, Teach program allows juniors and seniors to explore a career in education by taking dual credit education courses through Tarrant College. Students are also able to participate in local, state, and national competitions related to teaching. During the 2024-25 school year, ~40 students participated in Ready, Set, Teach.

District

Led by: Mansfield ISD

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: Students are encouraged to return to the district as teachers and are offered priority interviews as an incentive for program completion. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to compete in local, state, and national education competitions.

Grow Your Own

This Grow Your Own program enables high school students to complete a bachelor’s degree in education in just three years by accelerating their coursework through dual enrollment and completing college courses in high school.

State

Led by: TeachWV: West Virginia Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: Students reduce the time and cost required to earn a teaching degree through dual enrollment courses, helping them enter the profession more quickly.
• Hands-on learning experiences: Students complete classroom observations and gain early field experience while still in high school.

Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP)

The Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP) is a two-year program that follows a “work as you learn” model, allowing participants to earn their teaching certification while serving as student teachers in K-12 classrooms. Participants complete education coursework while actively applying what they learn during the school day as student teachers, working alongside experienced teachers, supporting instruction, and gradually taking on more classroom responsibilities as they progress through the program.

State

Led by: Arkansas Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: This program follows a “work as you learn” model, enabling participants to work as student teachers in the classroom while earning their certification.
• Program alignment with district priorities: Participants are placed in district classrooms to complete student teaching, exposing them to specific district practices and culture.

Teacher Acceleration Program

This state-run accelerated program enables participants to earn both a master’s degree in education and their teaching certification. While high-demand subject areas are not specified on the program website, the initiative is designed to fill critical staffing shortages and may adapt to district or state-level hiring priorities.

State

Led by: Oklahoma Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: Graduates earn a master’s degree in education, as well as their teaching certification.

Men of CHS Teach Program

The Men of CHS Teacher Program is a district-led program that recruits and prepares men of color to enter early childhood and elementary education roles within Charleston schools. Participants complete online coursework through the University of South Carolina while earning a full teacher salary and receiving professional development throughout the program.

District

Led by: Charleston County School District

Best-practice criteria

• Low barriers to entry: Participants complete online courses at the University of Southern Carolina to maximize flexibility for adult learners.
• Compelling ROI to maintain interest: This program provides on-site professional development and mentorship with current educators with full teachers’ salary throughout the program.
• Program alignment with district priorities: This program focuses on teacher workforce diversity needs to align with the student population in the community.

Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE)

The Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) program is a three-year alternative certification program that prepares career changers to teach in high-need subject areas such as STEM and the creative arts. Participants complete structured coursework while teaching and receive targeted support aligned with classroom responsibilities.

State

Led by: South Carolina Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Program alignment with district priorities: This program prioritizes certification in high need areas such as middle school STEM, high school STEM, and creative arts.

Teach Charleston

Teach Charleston is a district-embedded alternative certification program that places participants in classrooms while they work toward certification in district high-need areas like special education and high school STEAM content areas. The program embeds licensure preparation within teaching responsibilities to accelerate learning and job readiness.

State

Led by: South Carolina Department of Education

Best-practice criteria

• Program alignment with district priorities: This program provides hands-on training in district classrooms to embed participants in the culture and learn district-specific practices.