PDE Invests $10.35M to Expand Access to CTE, Strengthening PA’s Workforce for the Future (May 1, 2025)

On April 30, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced $10.35 million in PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that expand access to computer science and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for learners across the Commonwealth.

These grants – to 55 organizations in 29 counties — support high-quality STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities in communities across Pennsylvania. 

Over his first two budgets, Governor Shapiro has increased funding for vo-tech, career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million, which is 50 percent more than the day he took office. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal builds on that progress and creates more opportunity for Pennsylvania students with another $5.5 million increase for CTE programs. On his first full day in office, the Governor signed Executive Order 2023-03, which eliminated the college degree requirement for 92 percent of state government jobs. 

The Center for Workforce Information and Analysis at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has projected that by 2028, there will be about 157,000 more occupations in Pennsylvania that require mathematics knowledge (representing 65 percent of all employment in the commonwealth), and about 125,000 more occupations that require knowledge in computers and electronics (representing 54 percent of all employment).

These grants reinforce the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring that students gain the skills, credentials, and real-world experience necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market through funding support for innovative partnerships, cutting-edge training, and expanded learning opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers in fields such as electric vehicle technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and health care.

Institutions that received $450,000 or $400,000 grants have planned innovative projects to expand access to CTE computer science and STEM experiences for both students and adults. Grants of $75,000 will support collaboration between schools and a local or regional CTE provider, or will help communities design and plan local and/or regional approaches to expanding CTE education in STEM and computer science.

The following organizations received CTE grants:

SOUTHEAST REGION

  • School District of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, $450,000
  • Allentown School District – Lehigh County, $450,000
  • Eastern Center for Arts and Technology – Montgomery County, $450,000
  • Lincoln University – Chester County, $450,000
  • Alvernia University – Berks County, $450,000
  • Bucks County Intermediate Unit – Bucks County, $450,000
  • Brandywine Heights Area School District – Berks County, $75,000
  • Fleetwood Area School District – Berks County, $75,000
  • DeSales University – Lehigh County, $75,000
  • Easton Area School District – Northampton County, $75,000
  • Lehigh Career & Technical Institute – Lehigh County, $75,000
  • Mastery Charter School, Lenfest Campus – Philadelphia, $75,000
  • North Montco Technical Career Center – Montgomery County, $75,000
  • Oley Valley School District – Berks County, $75,000
  • Saint Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, $75,000
  • YWCA Tri-County Area – Montgomery County, $75,000

SOUTHWEST REGION

  • Gateway School District – Allegheny County, $450,000
  • Peters Township School District – Washington County, $400,000
  • Allegheny Intermediate Unit – Allegheny County, $450,000
  • Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School – Cambria County, $450,000
  • Passport Academy Charter School – Allegheny County, $450,000
  • Point Park University – Allegheny County, $450,000
  • Appalachia Intermediate Unit – Blair County, $450,000
  • ARIN Intermediate Unit – Indiana County, $75,000
  • Armstrong School District – Armstrong County, $75,000
  • California Area School District – Washington County, $75,000
  • Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center – Westmoreland County, $75,000
  • Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center – Cambria County, $75,000
  • Northern Westmoreland Northern Westmoreland CTC – Westmoreland County, $75,000
  • Northgate School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
  • Windber Area School District – Somerset County, $75,000
  • Duquesne City School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
  • Penn Hills School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
  • Sto-Rox School District – Allegheny County, $75,000

CENTRAL REGION

  • Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit – Northumberland County, $450,000
  • DuBois Area School District – Clearfield County, $450,000
  • Bedford County Technical Center – Bedford County, $75,000
  • Eastern York School District – York County, $75,000
  • Franklin County Career & Technology Center – Franklin County, $75,000
  • Northeastern York School District – York County, $75,000
  • Susquenita School District – Perry County, $75,000
  • Waynesboro Area School District – Franklin County, $75,000
  • Harrisburg School District – Dauphin County, $75,000
  • Steelton-Highspire School District – Dauphin County, $75,000
  • School District of the City of York – York County, $75,000

NORTHEAST REGION

  • Berwick Area School District — Columbia County, $75,000
  • Luzerne Intermediate Unit – Luzerne County, $75,000
  • Mahanoy Area School District – Schuylkill County, $75,000
  • Old Forge School District – Lackawanna County, $75,000
  • Wallenpaupack Area School District – Pike County, $75,000
  • Scranton School District – Lackawanna County, $75,000

NORTHWEST REGION

  • Mercyhurst University – Erie County, $400,000
  • Allegheny-Clarion Valley SD – Clarion County, $400,000
  • Erie County Technical School – Erie County, $75,000
  • Warren County School District – Warren County, $75,000

BSE Sends Sp. Ed. Plan Requirements to LEAs – Identification of Students with SLD using RtI (April 29, 2025)

The PA Bureau of Special Education (BSE) has revised the application process for utilizing Response to Intervention (RTI) to identify students with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD). Initial applications for school districts and charter schools may be submitted on an on-going basis. There is no deadline for submission.

The revised process requires school districts and charter schools to submit the BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool as the application to PDE. The BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool will be used school-wide or for building levels (e.g., elementary, middle, and/or high school). Additional information and the BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool are available on the PaTTAN website.

School districts and charter schools must partner with their local intermediate unit and/or respective PaTTAN Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) lead consultant to conduct a comprehensive review using the BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool and to receive assistance with the process.

School districts and charter schools must partner with their local intermediate unit and/or respective PaTTAN Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) lead consultant to conduct a comprehensive review using the BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool and to receive assistance with the process.

Please contact PaTTAN MTSS designees below for support:

Upon review of all documentation, the BSE will issue a letter indicating the application is approved, disapproved, or requires revision.

For school districts and charter schools currently approved to implement RTI for SLD Determination, please continue to use the BSE Approved RTI/SLD Fidelity Tool for internal assessment and improvement.

Additionally, school districts and charter schools are required to outline use of RTI for SLD Determination as part of the required submission for the district comprehensive special education plan and charter school annual report assurances within the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal.

Questions related to this message may be directed to Shannon Eye, Special Education Adviser, at 717-829-5113 or [email protected].

PDE Awards $14 Million in Dual Credit Innovation Grants to 15 Postsecondary Schools Across PA (April 28, 2025)

Dual credit programs open doors to opportunity for students by helping them earn college credit while still in high school. So, on Monday, April 28, 2025. the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced that the Shapiro Administration has awarded $14 million in grant funding to 15 public institutions of higher education to enable more high school students to enroll in dual credit programs across the Commonwealth, giving them more opportunities to chart their own course and prepare for successful careers. 

“Dual credit programs open doors for students to get a head start on college and career success,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “By investing in these opportunities, we’re helping more young people—especially those historically underrepresented in higher education—access in-demand courses that lead to credentials and careers our workforce needs. It’s about expanding opportunity and creating pathways to a future they choose.”

Dual credit programs improve student outcomes by enabling them to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college – while still in high school. Dual credit offerings improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates. In an effort to enable more underrepresented student access to dual credit programs, in July 2024 the School Code established the Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to provide funding for public colleges and universities to increase capacity to provide dual credit courses.

Awardees include:

Berks County
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, $946,951

Bucks County
Bucks County Community College (Main), $1,000,000

Cambria County
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, $1,000,000

Chester County
West Chester University of Pennsylvania, $576,066.74

Dauphin County
Harrisburg Area Community College (Wildwood), $808,454.13

Erie County
Erie County Community College, $1,000,000

Indiana County
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Main), $808,454.13

Lehigh County
Lehigh Carbon Community College, $1,000,000

Luzerne County
Luzerne County Community College, $1,000,000

Lycoming County
Pennsylvania College of Technology, $1,000,000

Northampton County
Northampton County Community College (Main), $860,161

Philadelphia County
Community College of Philadelphia, $999,982

Warren County
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, $1,000,000

Washington County
Pennsylvania Westen University, $999,931

Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County Community College, $1,000,000

Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal builds on his commitment to creating prosperous pathways for learners across the Commonwealth. The Governor’s proposed 2025-26 budget includes continued support for public higher education, calling for a $13 million increase for community colleges, a $40 million increase for PASSHE universities, and $60 million to be distributed via performance-based funding for Pitt, Penn State, and Temple.

DOH Provides Measles Information to Prevent Spread in School and Child Care Settings (April 24, 2025)

In light of increasing numbers of measles cases both nationally and in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) has created a document to help schools prepare for and respond to measles cases in their facilities.

This document is posted on the PA DOH website at MEASLES: INFORMATION TO PREVENT SPREAD IN SCHOOL AND CHILD CARE SETTINGS as well as on the Communicable and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases webpage. Schools are also reminded to contact the local Department of Health state health center (SHC)/district office or county/municipal health department before acting in response to a known or suspected communicable disease. Call 1-877-PA Health (1-877-724-3258); a representative is on-call 24 hours a day.

Guidance can be provided to schools regarding: disease information; appropriate letters and communications; identification of high risk individuals; appropriate action and treatment; and on-going support and assistance.

Shapiro Administration Hosts Roundtable on Creating Inclusive Workplaces, Continuing Historic Progress to Support Pennsylvanians with Disabilities in 2025-26 Proposed Budget (April 21, 2025)

In less than one year, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) has reduced the adult emergency waiting list for home- and community-based services by 20 percent. This is a remarkable shift given that the emergency waiting list had been growing for years. During the Shapiro Administration, more than 3,000 additional individuals have been enrolled in services, and that number will continue to rise. In addition, for the first time ever more than 40,000 individuals are receiving ID/A services through the DHS. Funding in Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 proposed budget will continue this progress, which includes 1,300 people newly receiving services since July 2024.

At present, Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposes an additional $5 million to support Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in assisting people with disabilities in finding employment through personalized services, vocational guidance, goal setting, job placement, and counseling.

On April 21, 2025, DHS Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh and Labor and Industry (L&I) Secretary Nancy A. Walker joined students and employers at Drexel University for a roundtable discussion highlighting the success of the Shapiro Administration’s multi-year growth strategy for intellectual disability and autism (ID/A) services, the importance of the continued funding in Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal for this community and the workforce that supports them, and discussed how the Commonwealth and community partners are working together to train and employ Pennsylvanians with disabilities and create inclusive workplaces. 

“Receiving job skills training and securing employment helps Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism chart their own course, pursue their goals, and live their Everyday Life among family, friends, and peers in their communities,” said Secretary Arkoosh. “For those with ID/A, that means having access to the right services at the right time so they can live healthier, independent lives. Pennsylvania is achieving this goal by making critical budget investments and supporting the vision of the ID/A community through employment programs. We still have work to do, and that is why continued funding for ID/A services are critical to the future health and wellbeing of this community.”

The 2024-25 bipartisan budget made historic new investments in Pennsylvanians with ID/A and the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them by securing $354.8 million in federal and state funding to provide more resources for home and community-based service providers. Services for people with ID/A are covered through Medicaid, which helps three million Pennsylvanians access care and supports that allow them to live healthier, work, and support themselves, their families, and their communities. 

“Creating inclusive workplaces not only empowers individuals with disabilities but also strengthens our workforce and our communities,” said Secretary Walker. “The Department of Labor & Industry is committed to expanding employment opportunities through its Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, ensuring Pennsylvanians with disabilities receive the resources and support they need to achieve meaningful and sustained employment. Governor Shapiro’s proposed investment underscores Pennsylvania’s commitment to building a workforce that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable for all.”

The Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) helps people with disabilities find employment through personalized services such as goal setting and counseling, vocational guidance, and job placement. Last year, OVR engaged with 74,000 individuals with disabilities, including more than 21,000 students, and placed more than 6,000 people with disabilities into competitive integrated employment. OVR also supported more than 3,800 individuals attending post-secondary training and provided more than $32 million in tuition assistance. Additionally, OVR’s signature paid work-based learning program, MY Work, connected nearly 300 employers with more than 1,200 students in the summer of 2024. Governor Shapiro’s proposed budget calls for an additional $5 million investment in OVR to sustain these critical employment services.

The roundtable was held in partnership with Community Integrated Services (CIS) and Transition Pathways at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute. CIS is the region’s largest provider of employment services for people with disabilities. CIS’s mission is to empower people with disabilities through individualized employment opportunities that foster self-sustainability, equality, and community.

“At Community Integrated Services, we believe that employment is a vital pathway to independence, economic mobility, and real connection,” said CIS Executive Director Susan Schonfeld. “Today’s conversation reflects the progress we’re making together — alongside the Autism Institute at Drexel University, our state partners, and dedicated employers — to build a more inclusive workforce for people with disabilities. With continued investment and collaboration, we can expand opportunities and empower more people to lead fulfilling, community-centered lives. CIS is proud to be part of this effort, and we’re committed to making sure inclusive employment isn’t just an idea — it’s the standard across Pennsylvania.”

The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University pioneers research to better understand autism and drive impactful change in communities and worldwide. Transition Pathways at the Autism Institute offers a growing collection of programs that prepare young people on the autism spectrum for employment and connect them to career opportunities.

“I am very proud of the work the Transition Pathways team has done, in partnership with Community Integrated Services and the School District of Philadelphia, to support autistic young adults in getting and sustaining meaningful employment. This work is critical to our mission of driving impactful change for autistic people,” said Dr. Diana Robins, Director, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University. 

Learn more about Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 Budget proposal and its commonsense goals for Pennsylvania.