HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced the availability of PAsmart Advancing Grants. These grants are designed to expand access to computer science and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education across the commonwealth, targeting learners at various educational stages.
Education Secretary Khalid Mumin underscored the importance of these skills in equipping students for future careers. “STEM and computer science skills prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow, no matter what zip code they come from or where they plan to live in the future,” Mumin stated. This initiative aligns with Pennsylvania’s broader goal to nurture a highly skilled workforce capable of competing in the global economy.
The PAsmart Advancing Grants are comprised of three key components:
- Career and Technical Education Distressed Schools Collaboration Grants: Offering up to $75,000, these grants are intended to foster collaboration between schools and local or regional career and technical education providers.
- Career and Technical Education Planning Grants: Also up to $75,000, these grants assist communities in designing and planning strategies to expand career and technical education, particularly in STEM and computer science.
- Career and Technical Education Innovation Grants: Providing up to $500,000, these grants aim to broaden access to and participation in career and technical education, emphasizing STEM experiences for students and adults alike.
These grants will support quality STEM and computer science education and professional development throughout Pennsylvania, including in early learning centers, libraries, out-of-school programs, career and technical centers, post-secondary institutions, and K-12 schools.
The initiative is backed by compelling workforce projections from the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. By 2028, Pennsylvania is expected to see an increase of approximately 157,000 jobs requiring mathematics knowledge, accounting for 65% of all employment in the state. Additionally, there will be an estimated 125,000 new positions necessitating expertise in computers and electronics, representing 54% of the workforce.
Under the Shapiro Administration, there has been a significant increase in investment toward career and technical education, totaling $53.5 million. This is part of a broader $1.6 billion expansion in funding for K-12 public education. Last year, the PDE encouraged CTE entities to develop new programs aimed at preparing students for careers in education, alongside over $30 million allocated to bolster CTE in classrooms and expand apprenticeship opportunities.
Moreover, the 2024-25 budget has empowered the PDE to issue CTE Intern and Instructional I Certificates to individuals with relevant work experience, facilitating the placement of more qualified educators in CTE classrooms.
The PAsmart Advancing Grants represent a strategic effort to equip Pennsylvania students with the necessary skills to thrive in a technologically advanced workforce, ensuring the state’s economic vitality and competitive edge in the global arena.
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