Schools in the State System of Higher Education are launching an initiative to address the lack of certified k-12 teachers in STEM and rural school districts.
According to statistics from PASSHE, in-state teacher certifications have dropped over 60% since the 2010-2011 school year. In 2023-24, for example, only 6,612 new teachers were certified overall. Meanwhile, applications for emergency permit have gone up 374% in that same time frame. The state Department of Education says that an emergency permit may be requested by a school district when a position has been advertised and there are no fully qualified and properly certified applicants available. The permit may be requested for an individual to serve in a vacant position as a long-term or day-to-day substitute.
PASSHE Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino said in a statement that the universities will “work side-by-side with local school districts to address this teacher shortage by preparing Pennsylvania Students to become teachers in Pennsylvania classrooms.” For IUP, this includes efforts to guide students at Indiana High School and the ICTC towards teaching careers. High school students are able to get experience through classroom observation, internships, and dual enrollment courses with the university. Once on campus, students receive academic and professional support, ensuring a smooth transition to college and highly prepared teachers for rural communities.
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