May. 05, 2023
HARRISBURG – Rep. Tim Bonner (R-Butler/Mercer) announced today that Slippery Rock University has received $100,000 in grant funding for special education training programs from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“It pleases me to see one of the top schools in the state receive the funding necessary to bolster the state’s special education workforce,” Bonner said. “Special education teachers impact the lives of students by giving them the tools and resources to learn according to their learning style.”
Through the Accelerated Program for PreK-12 Special Education Teacher Certification, grants were awarded to colleges and universities with approved PreK-12 special education certification programs. They will then 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 a variety of education and training experiences. These include summer field experiences, mentoring by experienced special educators during the school year, and delivering a postbaccalaureate program for PreK-12 special education teacher certification within 18 months.
In total, $1.5 million in grant funding was awarded to 15 institutions of higher education throughout the Commonwealth. These are institutions that partner directly with school districts to create a pipeline of workers to take on these jobs.