Policy Report

Teacher Residencies

Redefining Preparation Through Partnerships

Teacher working at a table with elementary aged students
Ann Nutter Coffman, Richelle Patterson, Bill Raabe, and Segun Eubanks
January 2014 | National Education Association
Teacher working at a table with elementary aged students

The National Education Association (NEA) convened a task force to examine how to best support, develop, and implement high-quality residency programs that promote a more comprehensive preparation system. This report proposes that residency programs balance three fundamental factors—resources, time, and quality of clinical experiences—to ensure that candidates complete their preparation profession-ready. Additionally, the report offers recommendations for the role of preparation programs, the school district, state policymakers, federal policymakers, and NEA state and local affiliates.