The program, called the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP), allowed high school students to take college-level teaching courses while still in high school. Students who successfully completed the program would earn college credit that could be used towards a teaching degree. They would also be eligible to apply for a provisional teaching certificate, which would allow them to teach in Kentucky public schools.
The KTIP was initially launched in 2019 with 10 participating schools. The program has since expanded to include over 50 schools across the state. According to the Kentucky Department of Education, over 1,000 students have participated in the program since its inception.
The KTIP has been praised for its potential to address the teacher shortage in Kentucky. By allowing high school students to earn college credit for teaching courses, the program provides a pathway for students to become teachers without having to take on the additional cost of college tuition. The program also helps to expose students to the teaching profession and encourages them to consider it as a career.
However, the KTIP has also faced some criticism. Some educators have expressed concerns about the quality of the teaching instruction provided by high school students. They argue that high school students may not have the experience or knowledge to effectively teach younger students. Others have raised concerns about the potential for the KTIP to lead to a shortage of qualified teachers in other fields, such as math and science.
Despite these concerns, the KTIP remains a popular program among both students and educators in Kentucky. The program has been successful in attracting students to the teaching profession and helping them to earn college credit. It has also helped to address the teacher shortage in the state.
