Elizabethtown Area to receive $20,000 to offer more courses for aspiring special education teachers

May 23, 2026 - 04:36

The Elizabethtown Area School District is set to receive a $20,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The funding is intended to expand the number of college-level courses available to high school students who are interested in becoming special education teachers.

District officials say the money will help cover tuition and materials for dual-enrollment programs. These programs allow students to earn college credits while still in high school. The goal is to address a growing shortage of special education teachers in the state by giving aspiring educators a head start on their training.

The grant is part of a larger state initiative to support career pathways in education. By lowering the cost and barriers to entry, the district hopes to encourage more students to pursue a career in special education. School leaders believe that early exposure to the field will lead to more qualified and committed teachers entering the workforce.

The district plans to use the funds to partner with local colleges to offer courses in child development, behavior management, and inclusive teaching strategies. The new offerings are expected to be available to students starting next semester.