Category: Government Actions

Shapiro Administration Awards $1.5 Million To 15 Universities To Bolster Special Education Teacher Workforce (May 3, 2023)

On May 1, 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that $1.5 million in grant funding was awarded to 15 universities that partner with school districts to expedite the process for students to become a special education teacher.

“The Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting and growing Pennsylvania’s educator workforce, especially in specialized and underserved areas like Special Education,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “These grants will expedite the process of becoming a certified special educator and enable more teachers to enter the field faster.”

Awardees include:
Commonwealth University, $100,000
Eastern University, $96,741
East Stroudsburg University, $100,000
Gannon University, $100,000
Holy Family University, $99,984
Kutztown University, $99,510
Lehigh University, $100,000
Lincoln University, $99,999
Millersville University, $100,000
Moravian University, $99,912
Slippery Rock University, $100,000
The Pennsylvania State University, $100,000
University of Pittsburgh, $99,984
West Chester University, $99,579
Widener University, $99,993 

In his budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro unveiled a refundable tax credit of up to $2,500 for three years for anyone who earns a new license or certification in education, nursing, or law enforcement, to help more Pennsylvanians become teachers and combat the shortage of education professionals in Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro’s budget also includes an additional $103.8 million in funding for special education in Pennsylvania. This funding will support school districts as they provide high-quality education services to students with disabilities and special needs.

Through the Accelerated Program for PK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification, grants are awarded to colleges and universities with approved PK-12 special education certification programs to partner with at least one school district, approved private school, career and technical center, charter school, cyber charter school, or intermediate unit to provide individuals who currently hold bachelor’s degrees with summer field experiences, mentoring by experienced special educators during the school year, and deliver a post-baccalaureate program for PK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months.

This grant program builds on the Department’s efforts to recruit and retain teachers in Pennsylvania. PDE’s educator workforce strategy works to ensure there is a robust pipeline of educators in place to provide a high-quality education to learners of all ages across the Commonwealth.

For more information from PDE, please visit the website.

CDC Releases Survey on Substance Use Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among High School Students (April 30, 2023)

In 2021, substance use was common among U.S. high school students and varied by substance. Approximately one third of students (30%) reported current use (i.e., defined as use in the past 30 days) of alcohol or marijuana or prescription opioid misuse. Among current use measures, alcohol (22.7%) and marijuana (15.8%) were the most commonly reported substances used by U.S. high school students (Table 1). Current binge drinking was reported by 10.5% and current prescription opioid misuse by 6.0%. Among lifetime use measures, 47.4% of U.S. high school students reported alcohol use, 27.8% marijuana use, 12.2% prescription opioid misuse, 8.1% inhalant use, and 6.5% synthetic marijuana use. Among lifetime use measures, ecstasy (2.9%), cocaine (2.5%), methamphetamine (1.8%), injection drug use (1.4%), and heroin (1.3%) were less commonly reported.

Trend data were available for all substance use measures except current prescription opioid misuse. All substance use measures with available trend data decreased linearly over the period assessed (2009–2021 for most substances, 2015–2021 for lifetime synthetic marijuana use, and 2017–2021 for current binge drinking and lifetime prescription opioid misuse). From 2019 to 2021, prevalence of current substance use decreased for alcohol (from 29.2% to 22.7%), marijuana (from 21.7% to 15.8%), and binge drinking (from 13.7% to 10.5%). No change was observed in prevalence of current prescription opioid misuse. Lifetime alcohol use, marijuana use, cocaine use, and prescription opioid misuse also decreased from 2019 to 2021; lifetime inhalant use increased from 6.4% to 8.1%.

Compared with males, females had a higher prevalence of current substance use in 2021 for alcohol (26.8% versus 18.8%), marijuana (17.8% versus 13.6%), binge drinking (12.2% versus 9.0%), and prescription opioid misuse (8.0% versus 4.0%) (Table 2). Females also had a higher prevalence of lifetime alcohol use (53.2% versus 42.0%), lifetime marijuana use (30.9% versus 24.8%), lifetime prescription opioid misuse (14.8% versus 9.5%), and lifetime inhalant use (9.4% versus 6.8%) compared with males. However, males had a higher prevalence of lifetime heroin use (1.6% versus 0.8%) and injection drug use (1.7% versus 0.9%).

Changes in substance use from 2019 to 2021 varied by sex (Table 2). Current alcohol use decreased for both females and males. Males also had a 3.7% absolute decrease and a 30% relative decrease in binge drinking and a 2.1% absolute decrease and a 30% relative decrease in current prescription opioid misuse. Among lifetime use measures, alcohol and marijuana use decreased among both females and males. Decreases also were observed in ecstasy use, cocaine use, and prescription opioid misuse for males. However, for females, a 2.5% absolute increase and a 40% relative increase occurred in inhalant use from 2019 to 2021.

To view the study, click here.

PA HELPS Now Accepting Applications for School Mental Health Interns (April 30, 2023)

The PA Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is now accepting applications from local education agencies (LEA) interested in participating in the PA Mental Health Education Learning Program in Schools (PA HELPS), a state-funded program to support Pennsylvania students with completing internships required for certification and employment as a school nurse, school counselor, school social worker, or school psychologist.

The funds are awarded and disbursed to the LEA where the student completes their internship.

To be considered for PA HELPS an LEA must:

  • Be located in Pennsylvania;
  • Be a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, or cyber charter school;
  • Complete and execute a PA HELPS LEA Application and Agreement;
  • Provide PHEAA with a copy of the agreement establishing the internship between the LEA and the school the intern is attending for their Educational Specialist Preparation Program;
  • Employ a site supervisor for the intern that holds a certification in the same field that the intern is pursuing; and
  • Use 100% of the awarded funds to compensate the intern for their internship.

All LEAs are encouraged to apply.

For more information about the application process and student eligibility, please visit www.pheaa.org/PAHELPS.

PA House Ed. Committee Passes Bill to Address Teacher Shortage (April 27, 2023)

On April 24, 2023, the PA House Education Committee voted to approve a bill that would help to address the teacher shortage in the Commonwealth. HB 141, known as the Time for Pennsylvania to Grow Our Own Educators Act, would amend the Public School Code to develop talent recruitment by providing for a Talent Recruitment Account, as well as establishing the Grow-Your-Own Educators Grant Program and grow-your-own educator career pathways. The 12-9 committee vote for legislation, which would encourage paraprofessionals and other school support personnel to attend postsecondary schools to obtain their teaching credentials, was along party lines with no Republicans voting for its passage. It has now been re-committed to the House Appropriations Committee.