Attracting Special Education Personnel
The impact of special education personnel shortages is felt at all levels of education from classrooms to Institutes of Higher Education. Attracting current secondary students and diverse individuals interested in expanding or changing careers in support of students with disabilities will have a positive impact on Pennsylvania's students and educational entities. Developing and expanding innovative and varied pathways to careers in special education is at the forefront of the APR work.
Paraeducator Preparation Pathways Grant
September 2023 - June 2026
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Bureau of Special Education, has awarded grants to the following Intermediate Units (IUs) to establish or expand opportunities for practicing paraeducators to advance their skills and knowledge of special education through partnerships with Pennsylvania community colleges and Local Education Agencies (LEA). The ultimate goal is for current paraeducators to obtain credentials, credits, and/or an associate of arts degree at no cost while actively learning and working in their LEA.
Implementation efforts are underway. Expansion of this grant to reach additional paraeducators is in progress.
Eastern Region Intermediate Units
Bucks County IU 22
Chester County IU 24
Colonial IU 20
Montgomery County IU 23
Central Region Intermediate Units
BLaST IU 17
Capital Area IU 15
Central Susquehanna IU 16
Seneca Highlands IU 9
Western Region Intermediate Units
Beaver Valley IU 27
Midwestern IU 4
Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification
The following universities have been awarded grant funds to create accelerated programs for individuals interested in obtaining PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months. Accelerated program participants will:
- Gain valuable experience this summer by working with students with disabilities during their coursework.
- Learn strategies for classroom and behavior management before the new academic year.
- Receive support from a mentor - an experienced special education teacher.
- Take courses on IEP development, structured literacy, and special education law in the fall of 2023.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators listed below for more information.
Central Region Institutions of Higher Education
Western Region Institutions of Higher Education
Millersville University
University of Pittsburgh
Eastern Region Institutions of Higher Education
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Moravian University
Featured Resources: Attracting Special Education Personnel
OSEP's 2019 Symposium series highlighted the importance of effective personnel for all children with disabilities. Multiple presenters shared perspectives and considerations to address the special education shortages.
Addressing_Teacher_Shortage_What_Districts_Can_Do_FACTSHEET.pdfStrategies to address the teacher shortages Local Education Agencies (LEAs) are facing are provided in this fact sheet.
OSEP-Change-Public-Perception.pdfOSEP has developed a series of "Leverage Briefs" for LEAs as they consider implementation strategies to address the attraction, preparation, and retention of special education personnel.
This brief emphasizes ways in which to publicly message the tremendous talents of the LEA's special education personnel and highlight the many career pathways secondary students could pursue.