Article Summary –
Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania has implemented an innovative teacher apprenticeship program to address the state’s significant teacher shortage, which has seen a 67% drop in certified teachers over the past decade, with a pronounced need in special education. The program, called the Supporting Certified Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Programs, provides grants to educational institutions to train paraprofessionals and teachers’ aides, allowing them to earn bachelor’s degrees through online courses while continuing to work, effectively tapping into an existing pool of classroom-experienced individuals. Additional initiatives include reducing certification processing times, offering free intern certificates, and introducing a Career and Technical Education program for high school students, which have collectively contributed to a steady increase in the issuance of teaching certificates in recent years.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is leveraging a new strategy to address the state’s teacher shortage: apprenticeships.
The shortage has intensified over the past decade, with a 67% drop in certified teachers. Schools increasingly depend on emergency permits, exacerbated by a 20% rise in special education students over 15 years, as found in a 2024 Pennsylvania School Boards Association report.
Two years ago, Shapiro unveiled a pioneering apprenticeship initiative with the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Labor, focusing on training paraprofessionals and aides into certified teachers.
On June 2, the administration allocated $7 million in grants to support these apprenticeships, particularly in special education.
Chris Lilienthal from the Pennsylvania State Education Association endorsed the plan, citing it as a “win-win” amidst declining special education certifications and growing demand.
Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe highlighted that under Shapiro’s guidance, Pennsylvania is reducing certification processing times and launching innovative programs like CTRA to bolster the educator workforce.
The grants support 16 organizations, including school districts and colleges, to facilitate apprenticeship programs.
Bucks County Intermediate Unit, in collaboration with Bucks County Community College and Gwynedd Mercy University, will train special education teachers with $135,000 in funding.
Deb Schadler, from Gwynedd Mercy, said the program, two years in development, targets paraprofessionals eager to teach but hindered by non-certification.
The program uses online learning, allowing paraprofessionals to earn bachelor’s degrees without disrupting their jobs. Associate degree holders from Bucks County Community College will take a seven-week course at Gwynedd Mercy.
Schadler noted the on-the-job experience meets field requirements, and student teaching will be completed through the Bucks Intermediate Unit system.
Gwynedd Mercy aims to enroll the first cohort this fall. Participants remain employed with structured salary hikes linked to academic achievements, benefiting from a 10% tuition grant.
While starting a new program poses challenges, Schadler is confident in its success and committed to providing quality training.
Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Erin James outlined additional strategies to ease the teacher shortage, including free intern certificates, a new Career and Technical Education program for high schoolers, and student teacher stipends.
James asserted that these measures are effectively increasing teaching certificates, reflecting the Shapiro administration’s collaboration with educational leaders to maintain a robust educator pipeline.
—
Read More Pennsylvania News
