The teacher shortage in Pennsylvania has reached critical levels. According to the 2023 Penn State Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis, about 9,500 teachers left the profession in 2022-2023 and another 8,300 in 2023-2024.
 
In order to address our teacher shortage, the House Education Committee will be considering a package of bills intended to reduce barriers to employment, create flexibility for employers, and expand the pool of those eligible to become professional educators.

Currently, Pennsylvania has some of the highest teacher certification fees in the Northeastern United States, with some exceeding $250. These fees must be paid prior to a teacher stepping foot into a classroom, in some cases before they are even hired.
 
In order to reduce this specific barrier to employment, I will be introducing legislation that would ensure that no teacher certification fee exceed $50.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that will provide some much-needed assistance to our teachers entering the classroom.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1601 (May 05, 2025): P.L.30, No.14
Printer's No. 1684 (May 12, 2025): P.L.30, No.14
Printer's No. 1884 (Jun 10, 2025): P.L.30, No.14