New Report Analyzes the Alternative Teacher Certification Sector

This week, the Center for American Progress (CAP) and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Preparation (AACTE) released a report analyzing enrollment and completion trends in alternative teacher certification programs offered outside of institutions of higher education (IHEs). Alternative certification programs allow those with bachelor's degrees to obtain the credentials necessary for teaching without pursuing an additional degree. This report builds on a 2020 analysis completed by CAP which found rapidly growing enrollment in these programs, most of which are run by for-profit organizations. While enrollment in these programs grew by 283% from 2010-2011 to 2018-2019, the number of students completing the programs only grew by 37%. Additionally, the number of all students completing non-IHE certifications declined by 10% during the same time frame. Due to this incongruence, CAP and AACTE say expansion of this sector has not been adequate to address nationwide teacher shortages. The report also details which states house these programs and the demographic makeup of enrollees.

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