December 9, 2019, ODESSA and MIDLAND, Texas— Two Texas districts—Ector County ISD and Midland ISD—will implement Opportunity Culture with paid teacher residencies in partnership with the University of Texas Permian Basin (UT Permian Basin). UT Permian Basin and its partner schools are the newest members in the University-School Partnerships for the Renewal of Educator Preparation (US PREP).

Both Ector County and Midland ISDs struggle with an extreme teacher shortage. Combined, the districts began the school year with 500 teacher vacancies. They will implement Opportunity Culture, a model developed by Public Impact, to provide greater teacher support, give excellent teachers the chance to lead small teams for higher pay, and help attract and develop new teachers. Their work will be a model for districts and education preparation providers nationwide to strengthen teacher pipelines collaboratively through paid teacher residencies. Read the full press release…