Gwynedd Mercy University has received a $20,000 state grant to bolster its special education teacher preparation program amid a severe statewide educator shortage.

The two-year grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education comes as the state grapples with a 70% decline in teacher certifications over the past decade, with annual certifications dropping from about 20,000 to just 6,000 in 2021.

The funding, part of the 2024-2026 Developing Future Special Educators initiative, will support experiential learning opportunities for aspiring special education teachers. Gwynedd Mercy is among 77 institutions receiving the grant, which is backed by the state education department, the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network, and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.

"There is such a critical need for special educators in Pennsylvania, as this is an area where the current shortage of certified teachers and specialists is most pronounced," said Patrick McAleer, certification and placement specialist at the university. "Hundreds of positions for special education teachers, paraprofessionals, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, and other related service providers continue to go unfilled."

The university has already used the funds to host an event on Nov. 6 for high school students from the Wissahickon, Norristown, and Methacton school districts to explore careers in special education. Plans also include expanding the university's annual Autism Conference to include programming for local students and increasing participation.