Looming teacher shortage threatens strong PA schools
PSEA

My PSEA Login
|

Join PSEA
PSEA

Looming teacher shortage threatens strong PA schools

Testimony on the Teacher Shortage and the RESPECT Initiative

Educators and support professionals are the real experts when it comes to what works in schools and classrooms. 

PSEA officers and members frequently testify at Legislative committee hearings on issues that affect public education as part of our efforts to tell lawmakers what good education policies look like - and what ideas just don't work for our schools and our students. PSEA President Rich Askey recently testified on recommended Chapter 49 revisions that spoke to teacher shortages.  

Pennsylvania's 2018 Teacher of the Year Jennifer Wahl joined other education advocates at the state Capitol to make the case for policies that ensure our commonwealth is preparing the next generation of public school educators.

"We need to make sure that the future of our profession is solid for the students of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Wahl says.

50 percent

Drop in teacher preparation program enrollment in Pennsylvania over the last 10 years

96 percent

Increase in emergency teaching certificates issued in Pennsylvania over the last 10 years

Solution: Pay PA teachers more

One important way to address the looming teacher shortage is to make sure educators in Pennsylvania’s public schools are compensated appropriately for their experience and expertise.

According to a 2018 report from the Economic Policy Institute, Pennsylvania educators’ weekly wages are 12 percent lower than comparable professionals in the state, and that this wage gap is likely contributing to Pennsylvania’s teacher shortage.

Teacher resources

The educators who belong to PSEA have a tremendous impact on the lives of students every day. PSEA wants to make sure that you have the tools, the protections, and the resources to do the incredible work that you do.

PSEA Headquarters

(800) 944-7732 | (717) 255-7000

  • My PSEA Login

Contact Us

Quick Links

Resources By Profession

PSEA Regions

Copyright @ 2024 PSEA. All rights reserved.
PSEA Privacy Policy