Approximately 100 career changers, recent college graduates, and paraprofessionals who have undergraduate degrees are being recruited each year for high-need license areas in the Boston Public Schools. Pre-service support to pass the states test for provisional licensure, an opportunity to co-teach in the district's classrooms, and substantial support such as mentoring, coaching, networking, and counseling are offered. In-service coursework that meets state requirements for licensure and that earns credit toward a master's degree, required for professional licensure, is also included.

This grant enhances and improves the Massachusetts Initiative for New Teachers (MINT), an alternative licensure program. It expands and improves recruitment efforts through an aggressive campaign to recruit minority participants. These participants have high-demand majors and will be placed in high-need districts. All participate in quality mentoring and induction programs, sustained in-service professional development in the form of seminars, in-class observations, and targeted support to develop their teacher portfolios that lead to initial licensure. These opportunities encourage new teachers to stay connected with their cohort of teachers throughout the state and to participate in a culture of collaborative professionalism.