School District of Philadelphia Procurement Opportunity

Special Education Teacher Residency Program
Competitive RFP No. NG10843

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP), in partnership with the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT), is seeking qualified partners to support its Special Education Teacher Residency Program.

The initiative is designed to increase the number of fully certified Special Education PK–12 teachers from diverse backgrounds while providing aspiring educators with certification preparation, on-the-job training, and financial assistance for tuition and books.

Project Goals

The program is designed to:

1. Increase the number of fully certified Special Education teachers from diverse backgrounds in District schools.

2. Eliminate financial barriers by providing financial assistance for tuition and books.

3. Prepare teachers to successfully navigate special education systems, processes, and professional expectations within the School District of Philadelphia.

Key Program Requirements

Qualified partners should be able to provide a post-bachelor's Special Education PK–12 certification program that:

1. Accelerated Timeline: The program should be no longer than 14 months, allowing educators to begin coursework as early as July, complete coursework by the following May, and obtain instructional certification by the first business day of July of the residency year.

2. Hands-On Training: The certification program will run concurrently with teacher residents working full-time in District schools alongside a mentor teacher, with up to one release day per week for coursework.

3. Registered Apprenticeship: Selected partner(s) must demonstrate the ability to meet and maintain applicable state and federal apprenticeship standards and registration requirements throughout the contract term.

4. Fully Funded Tuition and Books: SDP will provide full financial assistance for tuition and books. Participants should not incur additional costs or associated fees that create a financial barrier to entering the Teacher Residency Program.

Project Deliverable

The selected partner(s) will support an annual cohort of SDP teacher residents in successfully completing the on-the-job training year, earning their Special Education PK–12 instructional certification, and meeting all requirements to transition into appointed Special Education teacher positions in District schools.

Important Dates & Information

Proposal Due: October 15, 2026 by 2:00 PM ET

Issued By:
Throne Cropper
Deputy Chief, Office of Procurement Services
The School District of Philadelphia
440 N. Broad Street, Third Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19130
215-400-4380

How to Respond

Interested organizations should review the complete solicitation and submission requirements for:

Competitive RFP No. NG10843 – Special Education Teacher Residency Program

All respondents should review the complete RFP for eligibility requirements, scope of work, required documentation, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions before responding.

School District Vendor & Procurement Information:
https://www.philasd.org/finance/#sdpvendors

Active RFP, RFQ, and procurement opportunities are available in the AACC InfoHub RFP section and will remain posted through their respective submission deadlines.