NCTR, AACTE, and Deans for Impact release findings and propose policy solutions for the future of educator preparation funding
September 25, 2026 – The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR), AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), and Deans for Impact (DFI) will release new findings examining the far-reaching impact of the cancellation of federal educator preparation grants in 2025.
The report synthesizes insights from a joint survey of organizations and institutions affected by the grant cancellations, documenting the operational, financial, institutional, and personal consequences for educator preparation programs and the aspiring educators they serve. It also identifies important policy considerations as leaders and policymakers consider how to strengthen and sustain the nation’s educator workforce.
The report’s release comes at a critical moment for the nation’s teacher pipeline. Federal investments in teacher preparation have supported institutions and programs working to recruit, prepare, and support the educators our schools and communities need. The cancellation of these grants created significant uncertainty for organizations, teacher candidates, faculty, staff, and the broader educator workforce.
“This report gives us an opportunity to listen to the people closest to the work and understand what these funding decisions look like on the ground,” said Kathlene H. Campbell, Ph.D., CEO of NCTR. “The data and experiences shared through this collaborative effort make clear that cancellation of investments in teacher preparation has consequences far beyond a single grant or program. They shape who has access to the profession, how well educators are prepared, and ultimately the strength of the educator workforce.”
“Reliable data matters, but we cannot wait for a complete national accounting to recognize the harm already underway,” said Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., AACTE President and CEO. “These abrupt cancellations weaken educator pipelines, creating financial hardship for aspiring teachers, and disrupting partnerships in high-need communities. The evidence is clear: stable, sustained investment in educator preparation is essential to ensuring every student has access to well-prepared educators.”
“We’re grateful to the educator-preparation leaders who shared honestly and openly with us for this survey, ensuring our policy recommendations are grounded in what students, teachers, and communities are directly experiencing,” said Valerie Sakimura, CEO of DFI. “The results from this survey demonstrate how decisions about federal funding have immediate and tangible impact on the pipelines of well-prepared teachers that students need. We look forward to working with policymakers at every level of government who are ready to partner on solutions that put students and teachers first.”
National Conversation to Support Report Release
To learn more about these findings, register for the following webinar:
When the Funding Disappears: The Impact of Cuts to Educator Preparation
October 8, 2026 | 3 p.m. ET
During the webinar, organization leaders and researchers will discuss the survey findings and explore what the data reveals about the impact of federal grant cancellations. Panelists will also consider the broader policy implications and its impact on the future of the educator workforce.
The webinar will not be recorded. Register: https://bit.ly/4A5SfOh
These efforts represent a collaborative effort among NCTR, AACTE, and DFI to elevate educator preparation programs and contribute data and perspectives to the national conversation about the future of teacher preparation funding.
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About NCTR
The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, launching, supporting, and accelerating the impact of teacher residency programs. Headquartered in Chicago, NCTR’s mission is to transform educator preparation by advancing the teacher residency movement to prepare, support, and retain more effective educators who represent and value the communities they serve. For more information about NCTR, visit www.nctresidencies.org.
About AACTE
Established in 1948, AACTE is the leading voice in educator preparation. AACTE’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. Learn more at aacte.org.
About Deans for Impact
Deans for Impact (DFI) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. DFI supports educator-preparation programs to bring the science of learning into teaching practice; partners with policymakers to ensure pathways into teaching are instructionally-focused, practice-based, accessible, and innovative and responsive; and equips leaders with the tools to address today’s most pressing challenges in educator preparation. Guided by principles of learning science, DFI aims to help aspiring and early-career teachers create rigorous and affirming classrooms where all children thrive. deansforimpact.org
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