New York State seeks to rebuild its teacher workforce – including through recruiting and retaining teachers throughout the state to resolve the ongoing teacher shortage. Programs will provide incentives for teachers, address student needs, and create a robust pipeline of future educators to ensure a shortage never again threatens opportunities for families and children.
In 2022, Governor Hochul announced a $350 million investment in workforce development across New York State, creating the Office of Strategic Workforce Development (OSWD) to apply a new approach to workforce development – one that engages local experts to identify growing industries in need of workers, with a focus on creating opportunities for all New Yorkers. The investment in workforce development provides funding for programs across four focus areas, including education. New York State seeks to rebuild its teacher workforce – including through recruiting and retaining teachers throughout the state to resolve the ongoing teacher shortage.
On behalf of the State of New York and in partnership with OSWD, the State University of New York (SUNY) is administering these RFPs.
Alternative certification programs are a pathway to the teaching profession that may help reduce time and cost barriers for candidates interested in a teaching career. This RFP seeks proposals from qualified Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to expand existing alternative teacher certification programs or develop and implement new high-quality, research-based, alternative teacher certification programs. For the purpose of this RFP, alternative teacher certification refers to programs which expand access to teacher preparation via unique scheduling or opportunities for clinically based learning. Examples include: part-time programs (including but not limited to those that are hybrid or fully online), apprenticeship programs, Transitional B or C programs, etc. Priority will be given to programs designed around principles of equity that meet one or more of the following criteria: focus on recruitment of underrepresented or underserved candidates (e.g. first generation, veterans, AmeriCorps alum, overcoming adversity), partner with high-needs school districts or BOCES, and address certification shortage areas identified by the New York State Education Department.
Proposal Due Date: March 31, 2025
For questions about this program, email SUNY at edworkforceinvest-altcert@suny.edu
Alternative Teacher Certification Program Request for Proposals
Q: Are institutions eligible for applying to this alternative teacher certification program if they are also under review for other alternative certification programs?
A: This is a distinct RFP and IHEs may apply even if under review for other alternative certification programs.
Q: Must institutions apply to this program or will the approved NYCDOE alternative certification program provide the same opportunities in NYS?
A: This program is independent of other alternative teacher certification programs and does not provide the same the same services as the NYCDOE.
Q: We currently operate a residency program that leads to certification and a Master's degree, is expedited (16 months vs. 2 years for our traditional program), and is currently funded through federal grant programs that provide stipends for participants. For the purposes of this proposal, we are wondering if this fits the definition of Alternative Certification Program.
A: Residency programs are funded through the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Teacher Residency Program and are not covered under this RFP.
Q: Would mentor teacher stipends be allowable as program administration costs?
A: Yes, mentor teacher stipends would be allowable as program administration costs.
Teaching Assistants/paraprofessionals can be an essential part of the teacher pipeline given their prior classroom experience and strong connections to the communities they serve. This RFP seeks proposals from qualified Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to expand existing programs or to develop and implement new programs that recruit and support teaching assistants/paraprofessionals in obtaining Initial teacher certification through a registered baccalaureate-level teacher education program. Priority will be given to programs designed around principles of equity that meet one or more of the following criteria: address the need for bilingual educators, focus on recruitment of underrepresented or underserved candidates (e.g. first generation, veterans, AmeriCorps alum, overcoming adversity), partner with high-needs school districts, create pipeline programs that partner with community colleges, expand access via part-time scheduling, and address certification shortage areas identified by the New York State Education Department.
Proposal Due Date: March 31, 2025
For questions about this program, email SUNY at edworkforceinvest-upskilling@suny.edu.
Upskilling Paraprofessionals Program Request for Proposals
Q: Are non-profit, private universities able to apply to the Upskilling program grant?
No, the Upskilling grant is open only to public (SUNY or CUNY) colleges or universities with existing educator preparation programs.