We Have the Tools to End the Teacher Shortage — Let’s Put Them to Work

Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage crisis continues to threaten our students’ futures, along with the future wellbeing and prosperity of our commonwealth. If we want our kids to be equipped to achieve their dreams and our economy to thrive, it’s simple: PA needs teachers.

Governor Shapiro recently unveiled his 2026-27 state budget proposal, which included a $5 million increase in funding for the student teacher stipend program to $35 million.

PA Needs Teachers is encouraged by this increased investment and recognizes that additional funding is still needed.

Allocating at least $40 million to take a further step toward full funding would allow the program to function as intended: as an incentive that all eligible aspiring educators can count on. We also continue to seek improved access to educator workforce data and analysis, funding for high-quality grow-your-own teacher apprenticeships, and a pilot program for advanced teaching roles.

You can help!

Take two minutes today to email your elected officials in Harrisburg and encourage them to support bold, comprehensive investments in the educator workforce in next year’s budget proposal and final budget.

Our children can’t wait: together, we can address the root causes of teacher shortages in our commonwealth and build the excellent and diverse teacher workforce that every Pennsylvania student deserves.