University partnership spearheaded by Gwynedd Mercy, aims to alleviate deficiency of specialists in education for children with unique needs.
In Pennsylvania and surrounding regions, a pressing shortage of special education teachers has emerged. A collaboration spearheaded by Gwynedd Mercy University is aiming to address this issue by developing an apprenticeship program to train and certify educators specializing in special education for pre-K through 12th grade.
This partnership involves Bucks County Community College and Bucks County Intermediate Unit. The program, sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Education, is set to be the state's inaugural undergraduate apprenticeship program with a focus on the specialized field.
"This apprenticeship generates a sustainable pipeline for special education teachers by making certification more accessible to individuals currently employed in our schools," stated Deborah Schadler, coordinator of undergraduate education for Gwynedd Mercy University, in a statement. "It not only responds to the urgent demand for competent special educators but also aligns with our mission to enlighten lives through education."
The program's inception comes at a time of overall teacher shortages, particularly in special education, mathematics, and science within underserved communities in urban and rural areas. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the state Department of Education reported issuing over 6,600 teacher certificates, slightly over the previous school year. However, this still leaves approximately 5,500 unfilled teacher positions statewide, according to official figures.
Factors contributing to the teacher shortage include subpar pay, challenging working conditions, declining numbers of individuals entering teacher education programs, and a notably high attrition rate—7% of teachers exiting the profession in the state.
Paraprofessionals who are currently employed at organizations catering to students with special needs, such as the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, will find this program particularly advantageous. The apprenticeship provides a path for these individuals to attain their undergraduate degree and teaching certification while maintaining full-time work commitments. Program participants will complete their first 60 credits at Bucks County Community College and achieve the remaining credits at Gwynedd Mercy University.
On-the-job training will suffice for fulfilling field experience requirements, and student teaching will take place within the Bucks County Intermediate Unit system. During the program, participants will receive a paraprofessional wage, with structured increases correlated to academic milestones.
Bucks County Intermediate Unit employees are eligible for a 10% tuition grant to attend Gwynedd Mercy University, and they may also qualify for additional state or federal financial aid.
The apprenticeship-style teaching model is gaining traction both nationwide and in Pennsylvania, according to Laura Boyce, the Pennsylvania executive director of Teach Plus, a nonprofit teacher advocacy group. "The apprenticeship approach for teaching holds immense potential to address the challenges we've encountered that have contributed to the decline in teacher certifications," she stated. "The learn-and-earn model, where apprentices receive on-the-job training while also earning a wage and working towards their undergraduate degree and certificate, mirrors successful practices from the trades and exhibits significant promise."
The surging need for special education teachers in Pennsylvania necessitates this initiative. Between fall 2022 and fall 2023, the number of students receiving special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act increased by 3.4%. According to figures from the U.S. Department of Education, nearly 15% of all U.S. public school students were served by special education in the 2022-2023 school year, with a corresponding rate of 21% in Pennsylvania.
- Through this apprenticeship program, individuals employed in schools, particularly paraprofessionals working with students who have special needs, can leverage personal growth and learning opportunities to attain undergraduate degrees and certifications in special education, addressing the pressing shortage in the field.
- This innovative education-and-self-development approach, which combines on-the-job training, wage earnings, and academic milestones, aligns with the mission of enlightening lives and holds immense potential for addressing the statewide teacher shortage, especially in special education.
