Multi-state initiative will modernize certification pathways and pilot new professional learning model for high-demand fields
New York, NY — College Board and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching today announced a new partnership to strengthen the teacher pipeline and expand student access to career-connected coursework. Together, the institutions are launching a multi-state coalition to co-design modern teacher certification pathways and reimagine how educators are trained and supported to teach high school courses that prepare young people for college and career success.
Building on College Board’s Advanced Placement Career Kickstart™ courses, the partnership will support states as they redesign teacher pathways, update certification systems, and expand access to career-connected courses in high-demand fields. AP Career Kickstart expands the proven AP model by offering high schools a new set of career-focused courses and exams. Initial courses will be offered in cybersecurity and business.
“For decades, students have turned to AP to challenge themselves and prepare for college,” said David Coleman, CEO of the College Board. “Now we’re bringing that same energy to career learning, but students can only access these opportunities when teachers are prepared to deliver them. We’re proud to join the Carnegie Foundation in reimagining the American high school by ensuring teachers have the training, support, and modern certification pathways they need to guide students toward credentials that count for the future they choose.”
As states pursue competency-based policies and broaden career-connected pathways, the need for qualified teachers is urgent and growing. Despite significant state investment, 57% of administrators still report having trouble filling Career and Technical Education teaching positions, compared to 39% for other subjects. Current certification rules, which often include significant time and financial investment, can make finding a qualified teacher even more difficult. Without new thinking, those rules will continue to prevent talented teachers from teaching new career-relevant subjects and stymie efforts to prepare more young people for work and life.
The Carnegie Foundation and College Board are addressing this challenge by inviting states to join a coalition that will co-design and pilot new teacher pathways aligned with competencybased and career-connected learning in their states. Participating states will have the opportunity to co-design flexible teacher certification systems, expand access to AP and careerconnected courses, and contribute to a shared research agenda. Each state will also have the chance to serve as an early pilot site for a new AP Cybersecurity professional learning model.
“As we work to transform the American high school, we know that high-quality teaching remains the most powerful driver of student learning and success,” said Timothy F.C. Knowles, President of the Carnegie Foundation. “We are honored to partner with the College Board—an institution that, like Carnegie, has shaped American education for more than a century—to reimagine teacher preparation in ways that expand access, strengthen competency-based pathways, and advance success for students and educators.”
The coalition will launch in January 2026, with pilot programs beginning in June 2026. States interested in participating, and teachers interested in learning more about AP certification for career-connected learning, should contact Troy Smith, Executive Director, K-12 Policy, at tsmith@collegeboard.org.
For media inquiries please contact:
- College Board Media Relations: Holly Stepp, hstepp@collegeboard.org
- Carnegie Foundation for Advancement of Teaching: Kito Cetrulo, kcetrulo@carnegiefoundation.org
About the College Board
College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. College Board pioneered programs like the SAT® and AP® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. The BigFuture® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers.
About the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
The mission of the Carnegie Foundation is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. Enacted by an act of Congress in 1906, the Foundation has a rich history of driving transformational change in the education sector, including the establishment of TIAA-CREF and the creation of the Education Testing Service, the GRE, Pell Grants, and the Carnegie Classifications for Higher Education.
