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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.
Opportunities to Inspire and Support the Next Generation of Special Educators
Pathways with Purpose: Preparing Pennsylvania's Next Generation of Special Education Professionals
Participants of APR-funded grants joined a panel at the 2026 PDE Conference to share their experiences and opportunities afforded them as a result of the Attract - Prepare - Retain efforts to increase the special education workforce across Pennsylvania. From left to right are: Victoria Hall (Master's Level SLP Stipend for School-Based Placements), Nicholas Tanzillo and Tobi Gray (Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification Grant), Noah Johnson (Paraeducator Preparation Pathway Grant), and Mackenzie Haines (School Psychology Paid Internships for Out-of-State Graduate Students).
Universities are awarded grant funds to create accelerated programs for individuals interested in obtaining PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months beginning summer 2025 through December 2026.
Universities are awarded grant funds to create accelerated programs for individuals interested in obtaining PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months beginning summer 2025 through December 2026.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
Grantees are developing or enhancing opportunities for secondary/postsecondary students to learn about special education career pathways and/or work with students with disabilities. Up to $20,000 per grantee has been awarded to implement experiential learning opportunities (ELOs) beginning in July 2024 through June 2026.
Grantees are developing or enhancing opportunities for secondary/postsecondary students to learn about special education career pathways and/or work with students with disabilities. Up to $20,000 per grantee has been awarded to implement experiential learning opportunities (ELOs) beginning in July 2024 through June 2026.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply to provide $5,000.00 to master's level SLP graduate students* for their school-based placements in Pennsylvania.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply to provide $5,000.00 to master's level SLP graduate students* for their school-based placements in Pennsylvania.
- The goal is to increase the number of speech-language pathologist students that pursue an instructional I certificate or education specialist certificate and work in LEAs within Pennsylvania.
Career Exploration Fact Sheets provide information about professional roles within the field of Special Education.
Career Exploration Fact Sheets provide information about professional roles within the field of Special Education.
Each fact sheet addresses what special education professionals do on a daily basis, skills needed for the roles, and programs available to pursue the career. Interviews with current professionals are also included.
Each fact sheet addresses what special education professionals do on a daily basis, skills needed for the roles, and programs available to pursue the career. Interviews with current professionals are also included.
Intermediate Units are awarded grant funds to create partnerships with Institutions of Higher Education, including community colleges and universities, to offer associate degree programs for current paraeducators. The programs are designed to be completed within two years.
Intermediate Units are awarded grant funds to create partnerships with Institutions of Higher Education, including community colleges and universities, to offer associate degree programs for current paraeducators. The programs are designed to be completed within two years.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply to provide $20,000.00 for out-of-state graduate school psychologists interns for their school-based placements in Pennsylvania.
Local Education Agencies (LEAs) apply to provide $20,000.00 for out-of-state graduate school psychologists interns for their school-based placements in Pennsylvania.
- The goal is to increase the number of school psychologists that pursue their education specialist certificate to work in LEAs within Pennsylvania.
Intermediate Units are awarded grant funds to create partnerships with Institutions of Higher Education and Local Education Agencies, which may include a school district, approved private school, career technical education center, charter school, cyber charter school, or chartered school for the deaf or blind, to offer bachelor's degree programs and PK-12 special education teacher certification for current paraeducators. The programs are designed to be completed within two years.
Intermediate Units are awarded grant funds to create partnerships with Institutions of Higher Education and Local Education Agencies, which may include a school district, approved private school, career technical education center, charter school, cyber charter school, or chartered school for the deaf or blind, to offer bachelor's degree programs and PK-12 special education teacher certification for current paraeducators. The programs are designed to be completed within two years.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
Scholarships and additional supports vary by program. Contact the project coordinators for more information.
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