On July 25, 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced $250,000 in grant funding available to compensate master’s level Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) graduate students during their school-based placements in Pennsylvania LEAs during the 2024-2025 school year, encouraging more students to seek placements in schools and school communities. This funding is available to local education agencies (LEAs) that establish or expand school-based placements that provide high quality services to students, families, and school staff. LEAs can apply for a $5,000 stipend per master’s-level SLP, totaling $250,000 statewide.

Eligible LEAs include school districts, approved private schools, career and technical education centers (CTCs), charter schools, cyber charter schools, and intermediate units. The ultimate goal of the grant is to provide support to LEAs experiencing challenges securing speech-language pathologist externs and increase the number of speech-language pathologist students that pursue instructional I certification or educational specialist certification and work in LEAs within Pennsylvania.

LEAs interested in pursuing this opportunity are encouraged to attend an overview webinar scheduled for Monday, August 5th, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. The session will be recorded and made available on the APR Repository.

PDE is committed to bolstering the educator pipeline and supporting both students and schools by providing opportunities for the highly skilled, highly qualified individuals that make up our educator and school workforce. There is a significant shortage of speech-language therapists in schools, and an increasing need for these services and professionals. Offering a stipend in public schools attracts and retains highly educated, qualified individuals to fill these vital positions. PDE is committed to offering support for future special educators, school psychologists, paraprofessionals, and related services to help kids grow and thrive. 

PDEt has made it a priority to distribute grant funding, recently announcing more than $1.4 million to grow Pennsylvania’s special educator workforce. Last year, PDE announced grant funding to help paraeducators earn special education teaching credentials, and awarded $1.5 million to universities to bolster the special education teacher workforce. The recently announced Speech-Language Pathologist stipend is part of PDE’s effort to highlight and distribute funds available to Pennsylvanians seeking or continuing careers in schools across the Commonwealth.

In the 2024-25 budget, Governor Josh Shapiro secured historic investments in public education, including a $100 million increase for special education that builds on the $50 million increase secured last year, and an additional $10 million for student teacher stipends. These investments will help to better serve both current and future students and educators and address the education workforce shortage—making sure students have the support they need to succeed.