Brazosport ISD reports 65 active apprentices, outlines pathways and three‑year retention goal

Jennifer Farmer, the district staff member presenting the apprenticeship update, told the board the program was developed “as an innovative solution to addressing the growing teacher shortage.” Farmer said the Brazosport ISD registered apprenticeship program provides multiple entry points and scaffolds to lead candidates toward teacher certification while they gain paid, on-campus experience. “We have 65 total active apprentices in our on ramp 1 through 4 apprentice program this school year,” Farmer said. She listed partner colleges and certification providers that apprentices currently use: Brazosport College, Grand Canyon University, Reach University, Stephen F. Austin University, Western Governors University, Sam Houston, 240 certification programs and other ACPs such as ECAP, plus sponsors including Edwell and the U.S. Department of Labor (as cited in the presentation). Farmer gave numerical program details: 124 apprentices have been served to date, 45 of the current apprentices work in identified high‑needs areas (special education, ESL, secondary math, secondary science and secondary ELA/Reading as cited), and 58 apprentices from the program became teachers of record during the 2025–26 school year. The program groups apprentices into on‑ramps with projected exit years: On Ramp 1 (14 apprentices, exit 2029), On Ramp 2 (14 apprentices, exit spring 2028), On Ramp 3 (9 apprentices, exit 2027) and On Ramp 4 (28 apprentices, exit 2026); Farmer said some apprentices move between on‑ramps depending on college coursework transfer. Farmers described supports: campus advisors to mentor apprentices, success coaches (named in the presentation), weekly communication flyers, seven targeted competency trainings per year and 28 on‑the‑job trainings and assignments designed to give apprentices feedback and practical classroom experience. Farmer said many apprentices are already district paraprofessionals or staff: “37 out of the 65 current apprentices were district paraprofessionals or staff members prior to becoming a part of the apprenticeship,” she said. On commitment and retention, board members asked about obligations after certification. Farmer said the district asks apprentices to remain for three years after obtaining teacher certification but termed that a district expectation: “we want them to stay with us for 3 years, but our goal is to keep them for life,” she said. Board members discussed tracking longitudinal outcomes; Farmer said the district is working to develop five‑year tracking to measure retention and program effectiveness. Farmer said the application for the next cohort will open in March 2026 and that the district intends to continue recruiting and developing apprenticeship cohorts.