Harrisburg, PA – Delivering on Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to respect and invest in all paths to success and empower Pennsylvanians to chart their own course, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced $10.35 million in PAsmart Advancing Grants for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that expand access to computer science and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for learners across the Commonwealth.
These grants – to 55 organizations in 29 counties — support high-quality STEM and computer science learning and professional development opportunities in communities across Pennsylvania.
“At PDE, we are committed to supporting innovative education and workforce development projects that ensure today’s students are prepared with the skills they’ll need to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow,” said Acting Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe. “I’m proud of Pennsylvania’s commitment to Career and Technical Education, which equips students with the skills, credentials, and hands-on experiences they need to excel in high-demand fields like STEM and computer science. These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to providing every learner in Pennsylvania with the tools to build a successful future.”
Over his first two budgets, Governor Shapiro has increased funding for career and technical education (CTE), and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million, which is 50 percent more than the day he took office. Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposal builds on that progress and creates more opportunity for Pennsylvania students with another $5.5 million increase for CTE programs. On his first full day in office, the Governor signed Executive Order 2023-03, which eliminated the college degree requirement for 92 percent of state government jobs.
The Center for Workforce Information and Analysis at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry has projected that by 2028, there will be about 157,000 more occupations in Pennsylvania that require mathematics knowledge (representing 65 percent of all employment in the commonwealth), and about 125,000 more occupations that require knowledge in computers and electronics (representing 54 percent of all employment).
These grants reinforce the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to ensuring that students gain the skills, credentials, and real-world experience necessary to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market through funding support for innovative partnerships, cutting-edge training, and expanded learning opportunities that prepare students for high-demand careers in fields such as electric vehicle technology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and health care.
Institutions that received $450,000 or $400,000 grants have planned innovative projects to expand access to CTE computer science and STEM experiences for both students and adults. Grants of $75,000 will support collaboration between schools and a local or regional CTE provider, or will help communities design and plan local and/or regional approaches to expanding CTE education in STEM and computer science.
Money Well Spent, but with Conditions
On paper, this is money well spent. The primary reason is the shift in philosophy: the administration is finally acknowledging that a four-year college degree is not the only path to a middle-class life. By eliminating degree requirements for 92% of state jobs and investing in Career and Technical Education (CTE), the state is de-risking the future for students who are more “hands-on” learners.
However, a parent’s approval should be conditional. $10.35 million sounds like a large sum, but when divided among 55 organizations across 29 counties, it averages to about $188,000 per recipient. In the world of high-tech engineering and AI, that money can disappear quickly into administrative costs or outdated equipment.
Should Parents Expect to See Improvement?
A critical parent shouldn’t just look at the dollar amount; they should look at the tangible ROI (Return on Investment) for their child. If this money is being spent effectively, here are the four areas where improvements must be visible:
1. Modernization of “Shop” to “Lab”
Parents should expect to see CTE facilities move away from 20th-century vocational models toward high-tech “innovation labs.”
- The Expectation: Instead of just traditional wood or auto shops, programs should feature Electric Vehicle (EV) diagnostic tools, 3D printers for engineering, and VR headsets for medical training.
- The Metric: Does the school have equipment that matches what is currently used in the local industry?
2. Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs)
A high school diploma is a baseline; a professional certification is a “fast pass” to a job.
- The Expectation: STEM and CTE programs should lead directly to certifications (e.g., CompTIA for IT, AWS for welding, or NIMS for manufacturing) that students can put on a resume the day they graduate.
- The Metric: What percentage of students are graduating with an industry-recognized credential in addition to their diploma?
3. “Work-Based” Learning, Not just “Class-Based”
A critical parent knows that a classroom can only teach so much about a “high-demand field.”
- The Expectation: These grants should fund apprenticeships, internships, and co-op programs. The $75,000 “collaboration” grants mentioned in the article must result in actual seats at the table with local tech companies or hospitals.
- The Metric: Are students getting out of the school building and into real work environments during the school week?
4. Teacher Competency and Professional Development
Technology moves faster than school curriculum. A parent should expect that their child’s teacher isn’t teaching “yesterday’s tech.”
- The Expectation: A portion of this $10.35 million is earmarked for “professional development.” Parents should see teachers attending industry conferences and being trained by professionals currently working in STEM fields.
- The Metric: How often are instructors updating their curriculum to include emerging tech like Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Green Energy?
Critical Summary Table for Parents
| Feature | The “Old” Way (Static) | The “PAsmart” Way (Improvement) |
| Curriculum | Generic math and science | Applied STEM (Coding, EV Tech, Robotics) |
| End Goal | College application | College or high-paying technical career |
| Equipment | Outdated or simulated | Industrial-grade and modern |
| Partnerships | None/Passive | Active pipelines to local employers |
A Parent’s Bottom Line: This investment is a victory for “the 50%”—the students who want to build, code, and heal without necessarily taking on $100,000 in student debt. However, parents must hold local school boards accountable to ensure these funds reach the classroom and the lab, rather than getting lost in the central office.
The following organizations received CTE grants:
SOUTHEAST REGION
- School District of Philadelphia – Philadelphia, $450,000
- Allentown School District – Lehigh County, $450,000
- Eastern Center for Arts and Technology – Montgomery County, $450,000
- Lincoln University – Chester County, $450,000
- Alvernia University – Berks County, $450,000
- Bucks County Intermediate Unit – Bucks County, $450,000
- Brandywine Heights Area School District – Berks County, $75,000
- Fleetwood Area School District – Berks County, $75,000
- DeSales University – Lehigh County, $75,000
- Easton Area School District – Northampton County, $75,000
- Lehigh Career & Technical Institute – Lehigh County, $75,000
- Mastery Charter School, Lenfest Campus – Philadelphia, $75,000
- North Montco Technical Career Center – Montgomery County, $75,000
- Oley Valley School District – Berks County, $75,000
- Saint Joseph’s University – Philadelphia, $75,000
- YWCA Tri-County Area – Montgomery County, $75,000
SOUTHWEST REGION
- Gateway School District – Allegheny County, $450,000
- Peters Township School District – Washington County, $400,000
- Allegheny Intermediate Unit – Allegheny County, $450,000
- Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School – Cambria County, $450,000
- Passport Academy Charter School – Allegheny County, $450,000
- Point Park University – Allegheny County, $450,000
- Appalachia Intermediate Unit – Blair County, $450,000
- ARIN Intermediate Unit – Indiana County, $75,000
- Armstrong School District – Armstrong County, $75,000
- California Area School District – Washington County, $75,000
- Central Westmoreland Career & Technology Center – Westmoreland County, $75,000
- Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center – Cambria County, $75,000
- Northern Westmoreland Northern Westmoreland CTC – Westmoreland County, $75,000
- Northgate School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
- Windber Area School District – Somerset County, $75,000
- Duquesne City School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
- Penn Hills School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
- Sto-Rox School District – Allegheny County, $75,000
CENTRAL REGION
- Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit – Northumberland County, $450,000
- DuBois Area School District – Clearfield County, $450,000
- Bedford County Technical Center – Bedford County, $75,000
- Eastern York School District – York County, $75,000
- Franklin County Career & Technology Center – Franklin County, $75,000
- Northeastern York School District – York County, $75,000
- Susquenita School District – Perry County, $75,000
- Waynesboro Area School District – Franklin County, $75,000
- Harrisburg School District – Dauphin County, $75,000
- Steelton-Highspire School District – Dauphin County, $75,000
- School District of the City of York – York County, $75,000
NORTHEAST REGION
- Berwick Area School District — Columbia County, $75,000
- Luzerne Intermediate Unit – Luzerne County, $75,000
- Mahanoy Area School District – Schuylkill County, $75,000
- Old Forge School District – Lackawanna County, $75,000
- Wallenpaupack Area School District – Pike County, $75,000
- Scranton School District – Lackawanna County, $75,000
NORTHWEST REGION
- Mercyhurst University – Erie County, $400,000
- Allegheny-Clarion Valley SD – Clarion County, $400,000
- Erie County Technical School – Erie County, $75,000
- Warren County School District – Warren County, $75,000
