RIDE Among First in Nation to Launch a Registered Apprenticeship Program for Aspiring School Principals
Published on Wednesday, July 02, 2025
RI is fourth state to launch apprenticeship program of its kind; will award $100,000 in statewide grant funding to candidates in exchange for service
PROVIDENCE, RI – Governor Dan McKee, Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced that the Ocean State is among the first states in the country to launch a registered apprenticeship program for school leaders and educators who are interested in becoming school principals. The Rhode Island Registered Apprenticeship Program for Principals (RIRAPP), the state’s first apprenticeship program of its kind, is sponsored by RIDE and was designed in partnership with the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE) to bolster the state’s pipeline of building-level administrators as Rhode Island and communities across the country experience a national school leader shortage.
“With the new Rhode Island Registered Apprenticeship Program for Principals, the Ocean State continues to lead the way in efforts to strengthen the educator and administrator workforce,” said Governor Dan McKee. “Exceptional school leaders are the driving force behind successful schools and districts, and my Administration is proud to have a first-of-its-kind program in place to support those aspiring to lead our school communities.”
“The Rhode Island Registered Apprenticeship Program for Principals demonstrates our unwavering commitment to strengthening the administrator workforce by coaching and mentoring aspiring principals who will be able support students in the most effective way possible,” said Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “Skilled and well-prepared school leaders are vital for a successful state education system. RIDE is excited to launch this innovative program that will help expand pathways for professionals seeking to become school leaders.”
The RIRAPP, approved by the Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training’s State Apprenticeship Council, includes $100,000 in funding that will help provide free tuition to participate in the program to five candidates who successfully complete the program and agree to work in a placement local education agency (LEA) for three consecutive years. The RIRAPP is just the fourth apprenticeship program for building-level administrators in the country and operates in an “earn while you learn” model allowing aspiring building-level administrators to earn a competitive salary while developing their skills. After completing the program, participants will be eligible to apply for the PK-12 Building-Level Administrator certification. Participants began their one-year engagement this June.
“We’re thrilled to build on the success of our educator apprenticeship efforts with the launch of a Registered Apprenticeship Program for Aspiring School Principals,” said RI Department of Labor & Training Director Matthew Weldon. “This innovative approach creates a new, hands-on pathway to leadership that not only strengthens our schools but also opens the door for more diverse and locally rooted talent to rise into principal roles. At DLT, we’re proud to support this important work and excited to continue partnering with education leaders to grow and sustain a strong school workforce for the future.”
“The principalship is one of the most complex and rewarding positions in education,” said CLEE Executive Director Donna Braun. “How we prepare educators for it determines how well they continuously improve learning for students and support for educators and families. The best preparation involves real life practice with skilled support from a mentor and a rigorous training program. We are excited to partner with RIDE to implement the innovative RIRAPP pathway as a part of our PRN program to provide additional opportunities for excellent educators to access intensive on-the-job training.”
CLEE, a well-established Education Preparation Program (EPP) selected through a rigorous application process, will offer participants coaching, mentorship, and high-quality professional learning to promote achievement and foster retention. The program will also offer financial support for licensure and test vouchers. The RIRAPP aligns with CLEE’ Principal Residency Network (PRN), an approved certification program with distinction for candidates seeking an RI K-12 Building Administrator license. PRN is one of the country's first and longest-running residency-based principal preparation programs and has a proven track record in preparing educators to become school principals.
“Students and educators are most successful when they have strong leaders such as principals and assistant principals to guide them throughout the school year,” said Board of Education Chair Michael Grey. “The RIRAPP will help aspiring principals in supporting and meeting the needs of students, educators and the broader school community. We are proud to continue to support this work towards strengthening the industry workforce.”
“Principals and assistant principals serve as pillars for the success of our educational system,” said Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Patti DiCenso. “They guide students and fellow educators into success, and we on the Council are proud to support RIDE in this endeavor of mentoring and developing aspiring building-level administrators. We cannot wait to see these candidates grow in their positions and make a difference in lives.”
The launch of RIRAPP follows the State Apprenticeship Council’s approval of Providence Public Schools’ Pre-K Special Education and K-12 Teacher Apprenticeship Program. PPSD became one of the first school districts in the state to launch a formally recognized teacher apprenticeship program after more than a year of collaboration between PPSD, RIDE, the National Center for Grow Your Own, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT), Local 1033, and the Providence Teachers Union (PTU).
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