#PANeedsTeachers Encouraged by Governor’s Investments in Rebuilding the Teacher Pipeline
Gov. Shapiro Proposed Doubling of Student Teacher Stipend

#PANeedsTeachers Will Push to Fully Fund the Student Teacher Stipend


Harrisburg, PA - Today, Gov. Josh Shapiro released his 2025-26 budget proposal, which included $40 million in funding for student teacher stipends. The bipartisan program helps improve the financial proposition for young people entering the teaching profession. #PANeedsTeachers has advocated for student teacher stipends and other initiatives to rebuild Pennsylvania’s teacher pipeline. Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage is a crisis. A recent report from #PANeedsTeachers found that shortages are widespread across the commonwealth.

“We’re encouraged that the governor has proposed $40 million for student teacher stipends in this year’s budget," said Laura Boyce, Pennsylvania Executive Director of Teach Plus and a leader with #PANeedsTeachers. "Student teacher stipends improve the value proposition for those who want to enter the profession. We have heard too many stories from student teachers and aspiring educators who have difficulty making ends meet during their student teaching and leave the profession. Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage is a crisis that hurts our students, schools, and communities, and the student teacher stipend is an important tool to rebuild our teacher pipeline. We will continue to work to fully fund the student teacher stipend so that every future educator can receive a stipend.”

Pennsylvania is in the midst of a teacher shortage that seriously threatens the local education system, economy, and workforce in most parts of Pennsylvania. The shortage is at least "moderate" in 97% of all Pennsylvania counties, and it is "severe" or "extremely severe" in 63% – over half – of all districts. The shortages are most severe in school districts and schools serving large numbers of our most vulnerable students – students of color and economically disadvantaged students.

“In addition to funding the student teacher stipend, the Shapiro Administration and the legislature can take other steps to alleviate the teacher shortage,” said Amy Morton, Senior Policy Design Specialist with the National Center on Education and the Economy. “We need better data to understand the scope of the teacher shortage crisis so we can respond effectively. We also need investments in grow-your-own programs and teacher apprenticeships that encourage school districts to partner with higher education and other institutions to prepare students to become teachers in their home districts. Additionally, Pennsylvania should pilot innovative, strategic staffing and advanced teaching roles to make the profession more appealing for those seeking a career in teaching.”  

This year, #PANeedsTeachers is making the following recommendations for the 2025-26 state budget:

  • Fully fund the student-teacher stipend program at $50-55 million.

  • Improve access to educator workforce data and analysis through an investment of $1-5 million and a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Education and contracted partners such as researchers and universities.

  • Incentivize strategic staffing and advanced teaching roles through a $5-10 million advanced teaching roles pilot grant program.

  • Invest $10 million in a high-quality grow-your-own teacher apprenticeship grant program.

#PANeedsTeachers, a statewide coalition led by Teach Plus and the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), has been leading efforts to alleviate the teacher shortage crisis. 

About Teach Plus and NCEE

Teach Plus: The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students' success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning, to create an education system driven by access and excellence for all. For more information, www.teachplus.org

NCEE: Since 1988, The National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) has been researching the world's best-performing education systems to give states and districts the tools they need to become world class. NCEE has been a leader in U.S. education from policy to practice, producing reports that have led to landmark national legislation, supporting states in redesigning their education systems, and providing rigorous, proven support to more education leaders than any other organization. NCEE's dedicated, diverse, and experienced staff are working with teachers, school leaders, district leadership teams, and state policymakers to create the highest-performing, most equitable systems of education in the world. For more information, visit www.ncee.org.

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