Kansas Awarded $8.4 Million Federal Grant to Strengthen Educator Pipeline

Press Release from the Kansas State Department of Education

The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has been awarded an $8.4 million grant over three years as part of the federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive (TSLI) program.

This funding from the U.S. Department of Education aligns with KSDE’s school improvement model approved by the Kansas State Board of Education and supports statewide strategies aimed at improving educator effectiveness and increasing student achievement, particularly in high-need schools.

“This grant builds upon the State Board’s commitment to developing a high-quality educator workforce,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Jake Steel. “By expanding career pathways, strengthening leadership development, and increasing support for high-need schools, the State Board is creating sustainable solutions that will benefit educators, students, and communities across the state for years to come.”

The Kansas strategy to grow and strengthen the state’s educator workforce includes the following key components:

• Establishment of clear career pathways from teacher to mentor/lead teacher to school leader

• Expansion of the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP)

• Creation of a registered principal apprenticeship program

• Creation of a registered reading specialist program

• Prioritization of strategic staffing models to support high-need schools

• Alignment of educator opportunities with performance and student success outcomes

Through this grant, Kansas will implement a comprehensive career ladder and apprenticeship-based workforce model designed to strengthen educator recruitment, development, and retention across the state.