Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe announced nearly $1 million in grants to 11 higher education institutions to accelerate certification for Special Education teachers.

Grant amounts, ranging from $35,000 to $100,000, will fund 11 institutions including DeSales University, East Stroudsburg University, Gannon University, King’s College, Kutztown University, Mercyhurst University, Moravian University, Penn State University, Point Park University, Robert Morris University, and Temple University.

The initiative aims to place certified Special Education teachers in Pennsylvania classrooms, improving access to qualified instructors for students with disabilities.

The Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification helped 142 educators complete the program in 2025, with Nick Tanzillo now teaching in a therapeutic emotional support program and mentoring peers.

The program offers mentoring, coursework, and hands-on teaching experience to shorten certification timelines and expand classroom staffing, strengthening partnerships with institutions like East Stroudsburg University.

In addition to certification, the state announced paraeducator advancement grants that let current staff earn bachelor’s degrees and teaching certification at no cost while staying employed, with about 150 participants expected to complete the program by 2028.

The initiative seeks to attract and retain passionate special education teachers by reducing financial barriers such as tuition and loans for certification.

Officials hope increasing the supply of qualified special education teachers will address workforce shortages and improve classroom support for students with special needs.

Tina Pan, a Stroudsburg School District special education teacher, exemplifies the pathway from paraeducator to certified teacher facilitated by the program.

Secretary Rowe stressed that the program provides a pathway for aspiring teachers to earn certification without delaying work or family responsibilities, addressing staffing needs for students with disabilities.

The first cohort of 142 educators completed the accelerated program in 2025, and a second cohort of about 150 is expected to become certified later this year, with a third cohort underway.

A third round of funding will fund about 175 additional future Special Education teachers, bringing the total trained through the expedited pipeline to more than 450.