110 students have begun fast-tracked training this summer to become special education teachers, part of Governor Shapiro’s broader effort to expand and strengthen the state’s teacher pipeline. More highly-qualified teachers are entering Pennsylvania schools with the skills and professional experience they need to help all K-12 learners succeed in the classroom and beyond, which is a key priority of Governor Josh Shapiro’s strategic plan to strengthen the Commonwealth’s pipeline of qualified K-12 educators.

Since the 2021-22 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has seen a steady increase in the number of Instructional I certificates issued every year.

As per the PA Department of Education (PDE), this summer a second group of students are set to begin summer coursework to become certified special education teachers in Pennsylvania through PDE’s Accelerated Special Education Teacher Certification Program. Enrolled at 14 colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth, those 110 students are on track to obtain their teaching certification by December 2026.

Earlier this year, the first cohort of 142 students successfully completed the accelerated program, graduating with specialized skills to support students with disabilities and help them thrive in the classroom and beyond. 

PDE issued a total of 6,612 in-state and out-of-state Instructional 1 certificates in 2023-24. The Act 82 Report compiled and published each year by PDE also showed an increase of 793 newly certified PK-4 educators, 85 more health and physical PK-12 educators, and 762 PK-12 special educators over the past two years.