Newsroom
Forward Arkansas Supporting Five Districts in Transforming Educational Contracts
Forward Arkansas is expanding access to an innovative education model, enabling five...
View Resource
Educator Preparation Program Design Collaborative
We’re committed to building a more robust teacher pipeline and educator workforce.
Enhancing Educator Recruitment and Retention
Building the Teacher Pipeline
Data shows that early-career teachers often do not feel prepared for the challenges they may confront in the classroom or to teach their assigned subject areas. As a result, many educators leave the classroom within their first five years.
Fortunately, studies also consistently find that enhancing preparation and support for early-career teachers can help boost retention rates.
So, in 2021, Forward Arkansas launched a first-of-its-kind initiative to do just that. Over a two-phased process, we provided eight traditional, university-based EPPs with financial resources and technical assistance to develop plans for transformation. Two of the eight received continued support to implement their vision and strategy.
Since then, the EPP Design Collaborative has helped EPPs across the state increase the quantity, diversity and quality of prospective teacher candidates by:
- Modernizing and strengthening the teacher preparation experience
- Promoting strong district partnerships, including for paid teacher residencies
- Encouraging better utilization of real-time data
- Supporting continuous improvement and accountability
- Creating an ongoing Community of Practice that includes all 19 Arkansas EPPs
The Rider Residency
Southern Arkansas University
When Southern Arkansas University (SAU) joined the EPP Design Collaborative in 2021, its team focused on developing an effective, year-long residency model with its K-12 district partners. Enter the Rider Residency, a hands-on, full-year experience for fourth-year traditional licensure candidates. Grounded in co-teaching, the model centers on mutual matching, intensive coaching, data monitoring and pay for residents.
Four years later, SAU has increased enrollment in its traditional licensure programs by 12% and its graduation rate by 47%. It also passed Arkansas’s new Science of Reading Audit, reaffirming that candidates are exposed to a rigorous, relevant curriculum and clinical experiences. The district partnership portfolio has collectively paid 133 Rider Residents over $2 million, with a 77% in-district hiring retention rate.
UAPB-PBSD Residency Program
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
As part of the EPP Design Collaborative, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) and the Pine Bluff School District shared a vision for a paid, year-long residency model. However, UAPB and PBSD faced challenges in identifying a sustainable, affordable approach to integrate their planned grow-your-own pathway into the current district staffing model. In the spring of 2025, following a Forward convening, the PBSD decided to restructure its paraprofessional roles into paid residency positions.
The UAPB and PBSD Paid Residency Model officially launched in the 2025-2026 academic year. While currently only in year one of implementation, early feedback from district leadership and residents’ licensure exam results are promising, including enhanced candidate performance, greater engagement and increased self-efficacy. Today, the model is well-positioned to benefit residents, mentor teachers, schools and PBSD’s long-term workforce strategy.
Want to learn more?
We've compiled a suite of resources to help get you started.
Emerging Pathways Into the Teacher Profession
The Teacher Residency: An Innovative Model for Preparing Teachers
Successful Teacher Residencies: What Matters and What Works
Building Sustainable Funding for Teacher Residency Programs
Tennessee SCORE: Strategic School Staffing
Solving the Teacher Shortage: How to Attract and Retain Excellent Educators
