Secretary of Education Meets Future Educators at Temple University, Highlights Shapiro Admin Investments in Higher Education, Teacher Pipeline

Philadelphia, PA - Today, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin visited Temple University's College of Education and Human Development to tour classrooms, interact with a cohort of Pennsylvania's future educators, and highlight state investments in the education workforce.

"Like many other states across the nation, Pennsylvania is facing an educator workforce shortage, and expanding the pipeline of future high-quality educators is a top priority of the Shapiro Administration-coupled with our efforts to expand access to affordable postsecondary education for all students," said Secretary Mumin. "Being able to see firsthand how our institutions of higher education, like Temple University, are working to prepare the next generation of teachers while addressing educational equity will inform Pennsylvania's ongoing efforts in recruitment and retention."

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has been working to recruit and retain teachers in Pennsylvania, working collaboratively with leaders in the education field to ensure there is a robust pipeline of educators in place to provide a high-quality education to learners of all ages across the Commonwealth.

Those efforts include: creating a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in Education for high school students, awarding $1.5 million in grant funding to colleges and universities to bolster the Commonwealth's next generation of special educators, eliminating the Basic Skills Assessment to become an educator, creating and expanding the Student Teacher Support Program to provide a stipend to student teachers, allowing individuals authorized to work in the United States to earn certification and serve as educators in the Commonwealth, reducing certification processing times by more than ten weeks, and more.

"We are honored to welcome Secretary Khalid N. Mumin to Temple University's College of Education and Human Development. His commitment to educational equity aligns perfectly with our mission to educate, support, and prepare learners and leaders who advance equitable systems in our schools and communities," said Monika Williams Shealey, Dean, College of Education and Human Development."Together, we can foster a world where all individuals have access to and outstanding education, creating positive change not only in Philadelphia but throughout the Commonwealth. We look forward to engaging in meaningful dialogue that strengthens our partnership and enhances the educational experiences for all students across Pennsylvania."

In addition to supporting the teacher pipeline, the Shapiro Administration is committed to building a stronger, more affordable, more accessible higher education sector in Pennsylvania. In his first budget address, Gov. Shapiro called on state leaders to rethink higher education in the Commonwealth. Over the past year and a half, the Shapiro Administration brought together dozens of vested partners to have meaningful conversations about higher education in Pennsylvania, and to build on the Administration's plan for higher education. The 2024-25 budget makes the first significant progress on higher education in 30 years. The budget establishes a new State Board of Higher Education, provides more support for public universities, and invests in making a college education more affordable for Pennsylvania students.

The new State Board of Higher Education brings together leaders from higher education - including Temple University's President - the business community, labor, students, legislators, and members of the Shapiro Administration to craft a strategic plan for higher education, coordinate between higher education institutions and sectors, make higher education more accessible and affordable for students, and ensure our Commonwealth's higher education institutions are training students with the skills and credentials needed to fill critical workforce shortages and power our economy for generations to come. Additionally, the Board will create a new Outcomes-Based Funding Council that will deliver recommendations for how best to fund state-related universities like Temple University and provide a range of supports to institutions experiencing fiscal instability.

The 2024-25 budget also invests an additional $60 million in community colleges and the Pennsylvania State System universities, as well as an additional $143 million to PHEAA to make college more affordable for PA students, including: a $54 million increase for student grants, a $5 million increase for disadvantaged students' scholarships, a $36 million increase for the Ready to Succeed Scholarship and expanded criteria to increase the number of eligible students, and $25 million for the new Grow PA Scholarship Program.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please visit the websiteOpens In A New Window or follow PDE on InstagramOpens In A New Window, FacebookOpens In A New Window, TwitterOpens In A New Window, YouTubeOpens In A New Window, or PinterestOpens In A New Window.

MEDIA CONTACT: Erin James, [email protected]

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