Article Summary –
Pennsylvania’s Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, along with bipartisan legislative leaders, have announced the opening of applications for the PA Student Teacher Support Program, aimed at addressing the state’s teacher shortage. The initiative will provide eligible student teachers with up to $15,000 in stipends, funded through Act 33, which amended the Pennsylvania Public School Code. To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in a Pennsylvanian higher education institution, be in a Department of Education-approved educator preparation program, have a GPA of at least 3.0, be in a student teacher position with necessary school work clearances, and agree to teach in Pennsylvania for at least three years.
Pennsylvania Student Teacher Stipend Program Launch
Gov. Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania legislative leaders have opened applications for the Student Teacher Support Program on April 10. The initiative aims to mitigate the state’s teacher shortage with stipends reaching up to $15,000.
The $10 million program is funded by Act 33, a bill modifying the Pennsylvania Public School Code, signed into law in 2023.
“We want more Pennsylvanians to become teachers,” said Shapiro in an announcement.
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), which oversees the program, stated that the state now certifies nearly 5,000-6,000 teachers annually, a significant drop from the 20,000 a decade ago, according to PHEAA.
With student teaching experience a prerequisite for becoming a teacher in Pennsylvania, this program aims to offset unpaid teaching internships and additional costs such as transportation and professional attire.
Aspiring educators eligible for the student teacher support program, must be enrolled in a Pennsylvania higher education institution in a state Department of Education-approved educator program, maintain a GPA of at least 3.0, secure a student teacher placement, and obtain necessary school clearances.
To be approved for stipend funding, applicants should commit to teaching in Pennsylvania for a minimum of three years.
The stipend awarded is on a first-come, first-served basis, with a standard amount of up to $10,000. There’s potential for an additional $5,000 for those working in high-need areas.
The application period commenced at 9 a.m. on April 11, and by 11 a.m., 3,000 applications had already been submitted, according to ABC 27 in Harrisburg.
The PHEAA and the governor’s office believe the program could help plug the state’s shortfall of almost 5,500 teachers.
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