In this interactive presentation the presenters engage the audience in discussion of a case study of co-curricular program that illustrates how teacher training programs in the United States are adapting to intense changes in K-12 schools and in higher education. The current educational context involves two diametrically opposed conditions. On the one hand, colleges and universities are facing declining enrollment, more students are transferring in coursework, tuition costs are rising, and generally public opinion surrounding the value of higher education is skeptical. While on the other hand, K-12 schools are experiencing rising enrollment, mainly among multilingual and multicultural students, often immigrants and refugees, coupled with a severe teacher shortage, especially in low income and rural districts, and a lack of diversity in the teacher workforce.

Given these conflicting circumstances, this paper examines how a co-curricular teacher preparation program, housed in a College of Education at a mid-sized public university in the United States, is adapting by recruiting and preparing diverse pre-service teachers to address the needs of schools and the growing numbers of multilingual students for whom English is an additional language. The co-curricular program enrolls teacher candidates seeking an initial teaching license in early childhood, elementary, or secondary education, and who aspire to advocate for multilingual students by adding an endorsement in culturally and linguistically diverse education. Admission to the co-curricular program is selective and pre-service teachers benefit from a renewable scholarship, living and learning communities that engage them with like-minded peers, engagement with mentor teachers via early field experiences, as well as academic advisors who provide a support network while students navigate college. In addition, the program requires all students to participate in leadership workshops and to undertake projects that augment their professional growth while also meeting the needs of students, families, communities, and schools.

Considering the ongoing challenges in higher education and K-12 schools, the program is re-envisioning its operations and how it supports and graduates future teachers. The presenters consider how program structure is evolving both with regards to the academic curriculum and in relation to teacher preparation standards required for licensure in the U.S. As such program requirements are changing to further enhance teacher candidates’ professional growth and development through extra curricula activities and flexible scheduling.

The program recently received external funding to explore recruitment efforts in rural regions across the state, where there is a significantly higher need for teachers. Specific programmatic changes including campus-wide engagement, outreach strategies to rural school districts, hosting students on campus, and revitalizing marketing to reach a broader target audience designed to increase enrollment and graduation will be discussed. This includes an examination of how increasing flexibility in program requirements, removing barriers to enrollment and retention, and alternative pathways to graduation are key to teacher candidates’ success and necessary to meet the needs of K-12 schools. Audience discussion around teacher preparation work in higher education and opportunities for continued growth and development will be encouraged.

Keywords: Pre-service Teacher Experiences, Multilingual Learners, Higher Education Challenges, K-12 Schools Needs.