Clayton County expands local teacher pipeline through TAP program; district reports fewer vacancies

Clayton County Public Schools leaders on June 23 outlined expansion plans for the district’s TAP teacher-preparation program and reported progress reducing teacher vacancies.

Dr. Gloria Duncan, director of the district’s Professional Learning department, told the board Clayton County operates as an Educational Preparation Provider (EPP) approved by the Professional Standards Commission, allowing the district to certify teachers locally. She said the TAP program graduated more than 70 participants this year — the largest graduating class since she began at the Professional Learning Center — and that participation grew about 33% this year. The district received about 385 applications; 84 applicants met requirements and more than 80 people have been approved to participate so far. Duncan said the district expects to have over 200 TAP participants by the end of fiscal 2026.

Duncan said TAP and endorsement coursework are free to participants; candidates are responsible for examination fees (“the gates”). She told the board there is a retention expectation: participants agree to remain with Clayton County Public Schools for three years after completing certification, which district staff characterized in the meeting as amounting to a five‑year commitment to the system because of the program timeline.

Board members asked questions about fees, retention and capacity. Chair Benjamin Stryker and board members thanked the department for recruitment work at colleges and for preparing for the new state test that takes effect July 1. Duncan said the district will offer an intake in late June/early July and another in January to help fill vacancies; teacher development specialists are handling larger caseloads as the program scales.

Separately, Human Resources reported fewer teacher vacancies than earlier in the spring. The personnel report cover period May 6–June 6 and noted vacancies fell from 392 at an earlier point to 237 as of the previous Friday; the HR director said the district planned a substitute recruitment and long-term substitute placement event on July 17.

District leaders said the TAP expansion is an intentional strategy to build local capacity and reduce reliance on external hires. The board did not take a formal vote on the presentation; items related to TAP and hiring remain under district management for implementation and budgeting.