Dear Educator Preparation Community, 

The future of educator preparation has never depended on standing still. Throughout our nation's history, meaningful progress has come when educators, student-support staff, researchers, school leaders, policymakers, and communities have worked together to confront challenges, embrace innovation, and expand opportunity for every learner.  

Today, our profession stands at another defining moment. As we navigate educator shortages, emerging technologies, shifting public policies, and changing expectations for higher education, we have an extraordinary opportunity to shape — not simply respond to — the future of education. 

It is in this spirit that I invite you to submit a proposal to AACTE 2027, where our theme, Empowered: The Pathway to Progress, will guide our collective work. 

Empowerment is more than a word — it is a call to action. It means preparing educators who possess the knowledge, skills, courage, and compassion to meet the needs of every learner. At a time when public confidence in institutions is being tested, empowering educator preparation means strengthening the very foundation of our democracy by preparing professionals who can educate with excellence, lead with courage, and advocate for every learner. We have both the opportunity and the responsibility to reimagine how we prepare educators, strengthen public trust, and ensure that every child has access to exceptional teachers, school counselors, principals, and other education professionals. 

Whether you are conducting groundbreaking research, transforming clinical practice, advancing policy, leveraging technology, or building stronger communities, your voice is essential. Together, we will learn from one another, challenge conventional thinking, and chart a pathway to progress that empowers our profession, strengthens our communities, and shapes the future of education. 

I look forward to seeing you February 26-28 in Columbus, OH.  

• Please follow the steps below and review the Submission Guidelines prior to starting the submission process to ensure your proposal is eligible for review.
• When ready, please click on the Login button at the top of the page on the menu bar to create a user account for the portal.
• Upon login, click on the Submissions button at the top of the page on the menu bar to begin the submission process.
• You may click on the Resources button at the top of the page on the menu bar to view the "How-to-Guide" should you run into any problems.
• For general questions concerning the call process, please contact Al Davis (adavis@aacte.org).

Tip: Select the focus area that best reflects your proposal's main contribution. If your proposal connects strongly to more than one area, choose the most central topic as your primary focus area and use the secondary focus area to indicate the additional connection.