One System, Many Communities, Shared Impact

HARRISBURG, PA – Facing a critical shortage of qualified K-12 teachers, especially in STEM and rural schools, universities in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) are launching partnerships and programs to address the need. From early college pathways and dual enrollment to immersive residencies and career mentorships, these initiatives are preparing the next generation of educators to meet school districts’ urgent hiring needs.

In-state teacher certifications in Pennsylvania have dropped more than 60% since 2010-11, leaving many school districts struggling to staff classrooms. In 2023–24, only 6,612 new teachers were certified overall, down from a recent peak of 18,954 in 2012-13.

Meanwhile, emergency permits, issued with less stringent requirements, have surged by 374%, rising from 1,845 to 8,747. In fact, emergency permits exceeded initial certifications by nearly 25% in 2023-24.

PASSHE universities, founded as schools for teachers, are critical to addressing this gap. Nearly one in four people in Pennsylvania’s education workforce (23%) are graduates of a PASSHE university.

“The State System is deeply rooted in the education of Pennsylvania's children,” said Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino. “Our universities work side-by-side with school districts to address the teacher shortage by preparing Pennsylvania students to become teachers in Pennsylvania classrooms. Together, they are creating stronger schools, more prepared teachers, and brighter futures for teachers and their students.”

Partnering with Local K-12 Schools

PASSHE universities work closely with local schools to provide hands-on learning experiences that benefit both future teachers and K-12 students.

 

Cheyney University
Cheyney University’s Paraprofessional Pathways Program creates a flexible path for classroom aides, paraeducators, and assistants to earn bachelor’s degrees and certification. By valuing their experience and offering distance learning, fieldwork, and dual certification, the program has produced graduates who are now general and special education teachers and leaders in early learning centers, helping address the teacher shortage.

Commonwealth University
Commonwealth University hosted two STEM Days at the Bloomsburg campus this year for 335 fourth-grade students from Central Columbia, Line Mountain, and Shamokin school districts. Led by 100 pre-service teacher candidates, the students rotated through hands-on math and science stations, sparking interest in STEM and strengthening connections between the university and regional schools.

Shippensburg University
Shippensburg University hosts Pennsylvania’s only on-campus public elementary lab school, the Grace B. Luhrs University Elementary School. In partnership with the Shippensburg Area School District, the school serves about 130 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It provides children with quality education and gives university students extensive hands-on experience working directly with young learners in classroom settings.

West Chester University
West Chester University partners with the Avon Grove and West Chester Area school districts and the Chester County Intermediate Unit to help address staffing shortages. University students work as paraprofessionals, gaining experience with students who have challenging behaviors, meeting fieldwork requirements, and earning income. Many continue after their coursework ends. PASSHE universities, founded as schools for teachers, are critical to easing the shortage of teachers in Pennsylvania.

Early Pathways to Becoming a Teacher

Programs across the system offer high school students early college credit, internships, and mentorships, which provide a clear path into teaching careers.

 

 

Kutztown University
The Kutztown University Early College Academy is a transformative dual enrollment program that shows the power of school-university partnerships. High school seniors who want to become teachers earn up to 12 college credits and gain real classroom experience. A state grant is helping the university to expand the program to more students, school districts, and counties.

Millersville University
Millersville University’s Future Educator Academy welcomes high school students from Hempfield, Penn Manor, McCaskey, York County School of Technology, Camp Hill, Solanco, Downingtown East, Palmyra, Conestoga, Central Bucks South and Odyssey Charter School to inspire their interest in teaching. The one-week immersive experience combines college seminars, classroom experience, and campus life to prepare potential educators and help alleviate teacher shortages.

Slippery Rock University
Slippery Rock University partners with Slippery Rock Area, Butler Area, Franklin Regional, Grove City Area and Hampton Township school districts for a teacher apprenticeship program to help paraprofessionals, emergency-certified teachers and employees with bachelor’s degrees earn a master’s degree and Pennsylvania certification in PreK-12 special education, math, and science. Participants keep working while taking classes, receiving coaching and gradually transition into certified teaching roles. Nearly one in four people in Pennsylvania’s education workforce (23%) are graduates of a PASSHE university.

 

Immersive Training Starts Before College

Through immersive training, extended fieldwork, and mentoring, teaching candidates receive a high-quality education needed for success in the classroom.

 

East Stroudsburg University
East Stroudsburg University’s Aspiring Educator Pathway Project addresses the teacher shortage by guiding students from high school through college and into teaching careers. In partnership with local school districts, students join future educator clubs and get authentic field experiences. At ESU, students receive dual enrollment opportunities, additional grants and institutional partnerships. After starting their careers, participants get seminars and mentors to help them.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania
IUP, Indiana Area School District, and the Indiana County Technology Center are guiding middle and high school students toward teaching careers. High school students gain experience through classroom observation, internships, and IUP dual enrollment courses. Once on campus, students receive academic and professional support, ensuring a smooth transition to college and highly prepared teachers for rural communities.

PennWest University
PennWest’s Teacher Residency Program, in partnership with numerous school districts, places students in year-long immersive field experiences with local schools. The program gives residency students 32 weeks of field experience, during which they immediately apply their education in a variety of grade levels and classroom settings. The successful program launched at PennWest-Clarion and is expanding to other campuses and school districts.

 

One System, Many Communities, Shared Impact

 

The innovative teacher recruitment and education programs reflect each PASSHE university's unique strengths and connection to the local community. Collectively, the programs have a strategic and proactive approach to tackling Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage. By expanding access, strengthening support, and building strong local partnerships, State System universities are preparing the next generation of highly qualified teachers for Pennsylvania’s classrooms.

 

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About PASSHE
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) is the public university system of the commonwealth with a mission to provide a high-quality education at the lowest possible cost to students. The State System annually confers more than 20,000 degrees and has more than 800,000 living alumni, most of whom live in Pennsylvania. The State System universities are Cheyney, Commonwealth (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield), East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Kutztown, Millersville, PennWest (California, Clarion and Edinboro), Shippensburg, Slippery Rock and West Chester universities of Pennsylvania.