Principal Apprenticeships
2025 National Guideline Standards
We’re excited to share that, as of August 12th, the Principal National Guideline Standards (NGS) have been officially submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor. Co-chaired by the Learning Policy Institute and Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, these standards build on proven leadership and workforce quality frameworks, positioning principal apprenticeship programs as high-quality, workforce-aligned pathways. They are designed to expand access to apprenticeship funding and streamline approval by state and local workforce boards for models that meet nationally recognized benchmarks.
The Pathways Alliance, joined by Prepared to Teach, Educator Workforce Initiatives, and the NYS Educator Workforce Development Hub, will launch the inaugural Principal Apprenticeship State-Level and District-Level Cohorts. By selecting this first group of state and district leaders, the partnership is moving the nation from vision to action—developing a scalable, funded model for Registered Principal Apprenticeship Programs that strengthens leadership pipelines across the country.
Following a competitive application process, these cohorts will receive intensive technical assistance (TA) and structural support to bridge the gap between the recently approved National Guideline Standards (NGS) and successful on-the-ground programs. The program aims to increase the number of Registered Principal Apprenticeship Programs (RPAP) by 20% by the end of 2026, including expanding reach into Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
"Establishing national standards was the first step; now, we are putting them into action with a group of visionary leaders," said Sabrina Baptiste, Program Director for The Pathways Alliance. "These cohorts are designed to turn policy into practice, providing these selected states and districts with the direct technical assistance, funding strategies, and peer networks they need to build sustainable, high-quality pathways for the next generation of school principals."
The Pathways Alliance offers two parallel tracks to meet the unique needs of these education leaders:
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State-Level Cohorts: Focusing on state education agencies and labor departments to align licensure with apprenticeship models, create statewide registration frameworks, and unlock federal and state funding streams (such as Title II and Perkins).
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District-Level Cohorts: Focusing on school districts and program sponsors to receive coaching on competency mapping, securing board buy-in, and partnering with higher education institutions for curriculum.
The following organizations have been selected for their commitment to innovation in educator leadership:
State-Level Cohort Members:
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Maryland State Department of Education
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South Caroline Department of Education
District-Level Cohort Members:
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Oklahoma Public School Resource Center
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DCPS- Washington, DC Public Schools
Starting in March 2026, participants will begin a 10-month journey involving monthly technical assistance sessions, expert guidance from dedicated TA Leads, and a mid-year in-person meetup to foster deep collaboration. Additionally, the work of these cohort members will be featured in national case studies to highlight successful implementation and provide a blueprint for the rest of the country.