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This signature advocacy event, June 1–3, will bring educator preparation leaders to Washington, D.C., for policy briefings and a Day on the Hill.

(Washington, D.C., March 25, 2026) — Registration is now open for , taking place June 1–3 in Washington, D.C. This year’s event is being co-sponsored by , , and , bringing together leaders from across the educator preparation community to engage directly with federal policymakers on strengthening the nation’s educator workforce.

������ has historically convened deans, faculty, program leaders, and partners from across the country for Washington Week, bringing more than 100 educator preparation leaders to Washington, D.C., each year for policy briefings, strategy sessions, and opportunities to connect with federal leaders shaping education policy. The event culminates with the signature Day on the Hill, when participants meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss how federal policies and investments affect educator preparation programs and the institutions of higher education they serve.

Uniting with strategic partners for Washington Week 2026 provides an opportunity to expand reach even further by engaging educator preparation stakeholders across collective organizations, according to ������ President and CEO Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D.

“At a time when the challenges facing the educator workforce demand bold, collective action, it is more important than ever that we stand together as a field,” Holcomb-McCoy said. “This year, we will utilize our to advance a clear, collective agenda on Capitol Hill — one that elevates the voice of educator preparation and underscores our commitment to building a strong, sustainable educator workforce.”

“Washington Week 2026 is a critical opportunity for our field to have a voice in the decisions that shape our schools and communities,” said NCTR CEO Kathlene Campbell, Ph.D. “In partnership with ������ and Deans for Impact, we are organizing time to meet with policymakers so that they can hear directly from programs preparing the next generation of teachers. With students at the core of why we need to recruit, prepare, and retain effective teachers, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for the policies and investments to support educator preparation across the country.”

“Preparing aspiring teachers requires a clear focus on what works to support student learning and a commitment to improving how we get there,” said DFI Executive Director Valerie Sakimura. “At DFI, we are working to make pathways into teaching more affordable, more practice-based, and more focused on the instructional skills that drive student learning. By coming together with ������ and NCTR, we have an opportunity to accelerate that progress and advance federal policies that open the door to high-quality preparation so that more teachers thrive and more students succeed.

The Day on the Hill on June 3 serves as the culmination of Washington Week 2026. Participants will meet with congressional offices to share firsthand perspectives on how federal programs, policies, and funding decisions influence educator preparation and the ability of institutions to prepare effective teachers for schools and communities nationwide.

Through these conversations, educator preparation leaders help ensure lawmakers understand the real-world impact of federal policy on the educator workforce pipeline.

Registration, hotel information, and the preliminary program can be accessed on .

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About ������

Established in 1948, ������ is the leading voice in educator preparation. ������’s member institutions and programs prepare the greatest number of professional educators in the United States and its territories, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and college faculty. These professional educators are prepared for careers in PK-12 classrooms, colleges and universities, state and governmental agencies, policy institutes, and non-profit organizations. Learn more at .

About NCTR

The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, launching, supporting, and accelerating the impact of teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs. Headquartered in Chicago, NCTR’s mission is to transform educator preparation by preparing, supporting, and retaining more effective educators who represent and value the communities they serve. For more information about NCTR, visit .

About DFI

Deans for Impact (DFI) is a national non-profit organization committed to ensuring that every child is taught by a well-prepared teacher. DFI supports educator-preparation programs to bring the science of learning into teaching practice; partners with policymakers to ensure pathways into teaching are instructionally-focused, practice-based, accessible, and innovative and responsive; and equips leaders with the tools to address today’s most pressing challenges in educator preparation. Guided by principles of learning science, DFI aims to help aspiring and early-career teachers create rigorous and affirming classrooms where all children thrive.