CU Awarded Grant to Develop Future Special Educators

PA (08/21/2024) — The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has awarded Commonwealth University $20,000 as part of a grant program to grow the Commonwealth's next generation of special educators. The award is part of more than $1.4 million that was awarded to 77 local education agencies and institutions of higher education.

CU will use a portion of the funds for recruitment events for high school students interested in careers within special education. The other portion will provide opportunities for current CU students in the special education program to engage in professional development activities such as professional conferences and advocacy events. CU has approximately 275 undergraduate and graduate students in its special education programs.

"Special Education Teacher Certification has been identified as a high-need area for the state," said Robin Drogan, associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Exceptionality Programs. "This is also substantiated by school administrators, who have been vocal about the need for certified special education teachers."

"The state has listed the vast number of teaching positions that are available on their website to support teacher candidates in gaining positions and to show the need in each area," added Brooke Lylo, associate professor in the Department of Early Childhood and Exceptionality Programs. "Federal data suggest that 21% of public schools were not fully staffed in special education in the 2023-2024 school year, the highest teaching specialty need. There are approximately 33,500 openings that are projected each year."

Commonwealth University's grant proposal was written by Drogan, Lylo, and faculty colleagues Stephanie Gardner and Maureen Walsh from the Department of Early Childhood and Exceptionality Programs.

"Creating a future for our learners starts with having enough well-qualified, well-paid teachers in our classrooms, and this grant funding will bolster our efforts to generate a robust educator workforce in the Commonwealth," said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. "By inspiring today's students to become tomorrow's teachers-and by investing in hands-on learning and career exploration opportunities-we are laying the foundation to support Pennsylvania's students for decades to come."