The Leading Professional
Community of Educator Preparation Programs
AACTE empowers institutions and individuals to lead with influence, advocate with impact, and prepare the next generation of teachers and educators with excellence. Through our collective voice, members shape national education policy, advocate and protect the profession, and ensure that research and opportunity remain at the heart of educator preparation.
AACTE membership isn’t just about belonging to an association — it’s about being part of a movement that elevates the educator workforce and affirms every learner’s right to a high-quality, well-prepared teacher.
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AACTE Holds 100+ Congressional Meeting during Washington Week 2025
As part of AACTE’s annual Day on the Hill on Wednesday, June 4, AACTE members called on federal lawmakers to preserve and expand funding for educator preparation program grants and student financial aid. Learn more.
Our Member Institutions
More than 80% of the nation’s top 50 education schools are AACTE member institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Our member institutions and programs train the highest number of professional educators across the United States and its territories, encompassing teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. Utilize the map to explore AACTE colleges and universities that are at the forefront of advancing opportunities for all students and through their commitment to research-driven inquiry, advocacy, and innovative practices. View the full list.
Programs & Resources
AACTE addresses a range of professional issues through its programming and resources. In addition to signature work in areas such as advocacy, events, and professional learning, the Association publishes the latest research in educator preparation. This includes articles in AACTE’s Journal of Teacher Education (JTE), one of the most widely read professional journals in the field.
Holmes Program
- Supports an education leadership pipeline representative of the PK-12 diverse student population.
- Supports students who are pursuing graduate degrees in education at AACTE member institutions.
- Provides mentorship, peer support, and professional development opportunities
Journal of Teacher Education
- Publishes articles from a diverse group of scholars invested in practice, policy, and research in teacher education.
- Publishes five peer-reviewed issues per volume year containing thematic and general interest articles, editorials, and commentaries.
- Accepts 3.7% of more than 1,000 submissions a year and has a 5-year impact factor of 5.4.
Special Education
- Serves students with disabilities through the preparation of special and inclusive educators
- A partnership with the CEEDAR Center supports the infusion of disability-related programming and messaging
- Includes six guiding considerations for AACTE’s work in special and inclusive education
Member Benefits
AACTE membership opens the door to a multitude of benefits, granting access to tools and resources that not only enrich career development but also provide solutions to current challenges.
Be an Advocate
Engage in advocacy on the federal and state level to help shape policy that will affect the field.
Become a Stronger Educator
Find a range of professional development opportunities to advance your work, including the AACTE Annual Meeting, webinars, and more.
Explore Resources
Browse and download tools and resources that advance your work in the educator preparation field.
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