HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has announced the recent completion of the first cohort in the Accelerated Special Educator Certification program. This initiative addresses the state’s pressing special educator shortage by expediting the teacher certification process. A total of 142 students from 14 institutions of higher education have achieved certification as part of the program.
“Like many other states across the nation, Pennsylvania has been facing an educator workforce shortage—with a particularly critical need to fill thousands of special educator vacancies,” said Interim Acting Secretary Angela Fitterer. “Special educators play an essential role in the lives of their students and families, and this cohort of new teachers will make a lasting impact in classrooms across the Commonwealth for years to come.”
Funded through a $1.5 million state grant, the program was designed to create a fast-track pathway for individuals with bachelor’s degrees to earn PK-12 special education certification in just 18 months. Participating institutions partnered with local schools and districts to offer summer field experiences and year-round mentoring. Additional flexibility included combining in-person and online coursework, along with at least 12 weeks of student teaching.
Participants and partners have shared enthusiastic feedback on the program’s impact. “I never thought I would teach special education after being in the regular education classroom for 22 years. Three years ago, I made the switch and there’s no turning back,” said Angela Doland, a participant from Penn State Harrisburg. “The program was organized, and the staff were extremely helpful.”
Pennsylvania colleges and universities involved in the initiative adopted innovative approaches to meet the participants’ needs, combining financial assistance with personalized mentorship and hands-on experience. Roseanna Wright, a grant coordinator at Holy Family University, highlighted the program’s success in preparing future educators, noting, “This support included personalized mentorship, weekly academic guidance, and focused professional development in lesson planning and educational writing.”
The program builds on Governor Josh Shapiro’s broader efforts to address educator shortages across Pennsylvania. Initiatives under his administration include streamlining teacher certification processing, waiving fees for intern certificates, and rolling out additional supports for student teachers. With Pennsylvania facing a shortage of 1,670 special educators, the state continues its commitment to bolstering the educator pipeline to ensure all students receive a high-quality education.
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