Paraeducator Preparation Pathway Grants
Associate's Degree
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education is pleased to announce grantees of the Paraeducator Preparation Pathway Grants.
Intermediate Units are partnering with a Pennsylvania Institution of Higher Education, including community colleges and universities, and one or more Local Education Agencies (LEA). The ultimate goal of the grants is for current paraeducators to obtain an associate of arts degree at no cost while actively learning and working in their LEA.
Build an associate degree pathway for paraeducators
2023 - 2026* Paraeducator Preparation
2023 - 2026* Paraeducator Preparation
Pathways Grant
Pathways Grant
IUs are establishing or expanding 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.
IUs are establishing or expanding 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.
- *The grant has been extended an additional semester (Spring 2026) for paraeducators to complete all program requirements.
2025 - 2027 Paraeducator Preparation
2025 - 2027 Paraeducator Preparation
Pathway Grant
Pathway Grant
The requirements for this round of funding include:
The requirements for this round of funding include:
- The attainment of associate degrees for a minimum of 10 current paraeducators.
- IUs and LEAs are expected to share in the costs of the degree program.
- IUs are not limited to partnerships with LEAs within their catchment. The paraeducators can be working in any (PA) LEA.
- Partnering community colleges and universitates are expected to offer credits at a reduced fee and provide credit for prior work/life experiences.
Grantees
Interested in learning more? Contact the grant coordinators listed below for more information.
2023-2026 Grantees
Beaver Valley IU 27 - Eric Rosendale
BLaST IU 17 - Kelly Beck
Bucks County IU 22 - Jennifer Hertwig
Capital Area IU 15 - Sherisa Nailor
Central Susquehanna IU 16 - Anthony Serafini
Chester County IU 24 - Danielle Hawkins
Colonial IU 20 - Jacquelyn Bartek
Montgomery County IU 23 - Brandon Langer
Midwestern IU 4 - David Zupsic
Seneca Highlands IU 9 - Brock Benson
2025-2027 Grantees
Bucks County IU 22 - Jennifer Hertwig
Carbon Lehigh IU 21 - Eric Lech
Central Susquehanna IU 16 - Anthony Serafini
Chester County IU 24 - Danielle Hawkins
Colonial IU 20 - Jacquelyn Bartek
Luzerne IU 18 - Jessica Jacobs
Montgomery County IU 23 - Brandon Langer
Seneca Highlands IU 9 - Brock Benson
Grant Contact
Have questions or need more information?
Contact Tammy Bertel - PaTTAN Educational Consultant or Christine Moon - APR State Lead
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