{"id":3485,"date":"2025-12-16T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-16T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.carnegiefoundation.org\/?p=3485"},"modified":"2026-02-02T10:38:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T18:38:35","slug":"college-board-and-carnegie-foundation-launch-national-effort-to-expand-teacher-pipeline-for-career-connected-coursework","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carnegiefoundation.org\/college-board-and-carnegie-foundation-launch-national-effort-to-expand-teacher-pipeline-for-career-connected-coursework\/","title":{"rendered":"College Board and Carnegie Foundation Launch National Effort to Expand Teacher Pipeline for Career-Connected Coursework"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Multi-state initiative will modernize certification pathways and pilot new professional learning model for high-demand fields<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York, NY<\/strong> \u2014 College Board and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching today announced a new partnership to strengthen the teacher pipeline and expand student access to career-connected coursework. Together, the institutions are launching a multi-state coalition to co-design modern teacher certification pathways and reimagine how educators are trained and supported to teach high school courses that prepare young people for college and career success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building on College Board\u2019s Advanced Placement Career Kickstart\u2122 courses, the partnership will support states as they redesign teacher pathways, update certification systems, and expand access to career-connected courses in high-demand fields. AP Career Kickstart expands the proven AP model by offering high schools a new set of career-focused courses and exams. Initial courses will be offered in cybersecurity and business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cFor decades, students have turned to AP to challenge themselves and prepare for college,\u201d said David Coleman, CEO of the College Board. \u201cNow we\u2019re bringing that same energy to career learning, but students can only access these opportunities when teachers are prepared to deliver them. We\u2019re proud to join the Carnegie Foundation in reimagining the American high school by ensuring teachers have the training, support, and modern certification pathways they need to guide students toward credentials that count for the future they choose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As states pursue competency-based policies and broaden career-connected pathways, the need for qualified teachers is urgent and growing. Despite significant state investment, 57% of administrators still report having trouble filling Career and Technical Education teaching positions, compared to 39% for other subjects. Current certification rules, which often include significant time and financial investment, can make finding a qualified teacher even more difficult. Without new thinking, those rules will continue to prevent talented teachers from teaching new career-relevant subjects and stymie efforts to prepare more young people for work and life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Carnegie Foundation and College Board are addressing this challenge by inviting states to join a coalition that will co-design and pilot new teacher pathways aligned with competencybased and career-connected learning in their states. Participating states will have the opportunity to co-design flexible teacher certification systems, expand access to AP and careerconnected courses, and contribute to a shared research agenda. Each state will also have the chance to serve as an early pilot site for a new AP Cybersecurity professional learning model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs we work to transform the American high school, we know that high-quality teaching remains the most powerful driver of student learning and success,\u201d said Timothy F.C. Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation. \u201cWe are honored to partner with the College Board\u2014an institution that, like Carnegie, has shaped American education for more than a century\u2014to reimagine teacher preparation in ways that expand access, strengthen competency-based pathways, and advance success for students and educators.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The coalition will launch in January 2026, with pilot programs beginning in June 2026. States interested in participating, and teachers interested in learning more about AP certification for career-connected learning, should contact Troy Smith, Executive Director, K-12 Policy, at tsmith@collegeboard.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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