MA's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP)

Cultivating Future Educators Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Programs (RTAP) in Massachusetts are innovative pathways into teaching designed to build a diverse and effective teaching workforce that reflects the rich cultural backgrounds of our students. At the heart of RTAP is a commitment to providing equitable opportunities for aspiring educators, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to enter the teaching profession for little to no cost.

What is the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program?

RTAP offers a new pathway to earning an Initial license in Massachusetts. RTAP integrates on-the-job training with academic coursework, allowing participants to earn while they learn. This hands-on approach ensures that apprentices gain practical classroom experience under the supervision of experienced educators while simultaneously completing the requirements for Initial licensure.

Why Choose RTAP?

Cultivating a Diverse and Effective Pipeline in Local Communities
RTAP addresses the need for a teaching workforce that mirrors the diversity of Massachusetts's student population. By focusing on recruiting and supporting aspiring teachers from the increasingly diverse communities in which they live, RTAP will help to ensure that our classrooms are led by educators who represent the lived experiences and diverse perspectives of all Massachusetts communities.
Job-Embedded Preparation in Hard-to-Staff Roles
RTAP aims to create better teachers — particularly in some of our hardest-to-staff roles such as special education, early childhood, ESL, and STEM — by providing apprentices with on-the-job learning opportunities, personalized support and mentoring, professional development, and access to a network of experienced peers and education leaders. This ensures that RTAP graduates are well-prepared and positioned to thrive in today's classrooms from day one.
Equitable Access
RTAP is committed to expanding access to the teaching profession. By offering a no-cost pathway through full-time employment with job-embedded learning and wrap-around supports, RTAP opens doors for individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford traditional teacher preparation programs, creating a more inclusive and equitable education system.

Program Highlights

Earn While You Learn: RTAP combines paid, on-the-job training with academic coursework, allowing participants to earn income while working toward their teaching licensure.
Mentorship and Support: Each apprentice is paired with an experienced supervising practitioner who provides guidance, feedback, and support throughout the program, as well as a program supervisor from a partner educator preparation provider to support meaningful application of coursework to practice throughout their apprenticeship term.
Culturally and Linguistically Sustaining Practices (CLSP): RTAP includes training in culturally and linguistically sustaining practices for both supervising practitioners and apprentices, ensuring that all educators are equipped to meet the needs of diverse student populations.
Flexibility: The program is designed to accommodate participants' full-time employment in conjunction with coursework requirements, making it accessible to individuals who are working or have other commitments.
Diverse Pathways: Whether you are a recent graduate, a career changer, or a paraprofessional looking to advance, RTAP offers tailored pathways to help you achieve your goals.

Who Should Apply?

MA's Department of Elementary & Secondary Education is the intermediary for all RTAPs in MA and will serve as the authorizing agency to the state's Division of Apprentices in the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. DESE will begin accepting applications to implement RTAP pathways from districts in Fall 2024. Districts must apply in partnership with an approved educator preparation provider (EPP) serving as the related technical instruction provider to ensure that all participants are fully supported to meet all preparation and licensure requirements throughout the apprenticeship process.

RTAP is ideal for districts committed to fostering a more diverse teaching workforce, as well as those seeking to strengthen the pipeline into hard-to-staff roles. We especially encourage participation from those who are looking to cultivate pipelines into special educator roles, ESL positions, early childhood classrooms, and secondary STEM positions.

How to Apply?

Districts interested in running an RTAP pathway must submit a joint application with an approved educator preparation provider (EPP) to DESE for approval. The application process is designed to assess the readiness of both the district and the EPP to effectively support apprentices in accordance with program requirements and district priorities. Applications will be open in late Fall 2024 alongside a competitive grant opportunity to support funding.

Quick Links

RTAP Programmatic Requirements and Work Process Schedule
Interest Form (for districts and EPPs interested in learning more about RTAPs)
Application Process — coming soon
FAQs

Contact Us

For more information about the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, please contact us at EducatorApprenticeships@mass.gov

Past Events

Did you miss the latest webinar? No problem!

Click the links below to learn more about the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) —a low-cost, accessible path to becoming a teacher. The program combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, allowing aspiring educators to earn while they learn.

Don't miss out on this valuable information-watch the full recording today!

You can also access the PowerPoint slides for additional details!

Upcoming Events

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Last Updated: November 18, 2024