What is Grow Your Own?
Grow Your Own (GYO) supports LEAs to intentionally build strong, stable and varied teacher pipelines from within their own communities that meet their workforce needs. GYO aims to address teacher shortages in hard-to-staff areas, and build interest in the teaching profession among high school students.
PREP Grow Your Own
House Bill 2, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and signed into law in June 2025, established the PREP Program Allotment to strengthen the quality of teacher recruitment, preparation, and mentorship across the state. Participation in the PREP Program Allotment is optional for eligible districts and open-enrollment charters. The PREP Program Allotment provides funding for five partnership types, PREP Mentorship, PREP Grow Your Own, PREP Preservice Residence, PREP Preservice Traditional, and PREP Preservice Alternative Certification. Visit the PREP Program Allotment webpage for more information and resources.
The PREP Grow Your Own (GYO) Program enables school systems, through partnering with qualified institutions of higher education (IHEs) and educator preparation programs (EPPs), to support current employees with earning their bachelor's degree and enrolling in an accredited educator preparation program to ultimately become certified teachers. School systems may also use funding to support high school students with developing interest and skills in teaching through career and technical education coursework. School systems participating in the PREP Grow Your Own Program must comply with the requirements outlined in Texas Education Code (TEC) §§21.906 and Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §§153.1304.
Applications for PREP GYO will be available through LASO Cycle 5.
Grant Programs
The Grow Your Own Grant Program has competitively awarded state funds to applicants to implement GYO as an essential part of a long-term talent management strategy.
- 2025-2027 GYO High School Education & Training
- 2024-2026 GYO High School Education & Training
- Cycle 6 GYO (2023-2025)
- TCLAS Decision 4 / Cycle 5 GYO (2021-2024)
- Cycle 4 GYO (2021-2023)
GYO Implementation
Employee Supports
High School Education & Training
