Governor Shapiro highlights increased funding for career and technical education programs

Governor Josh Shapiro and Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Carrie Rowe participated in a roundtable discussion at Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School in Philadelphia. The event brought together national education leaders, including American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten and Center for American Progress President & CEO Neera Tanden, as well as local officials such as Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker. Leaders from the School District of Philadelphia and representatives from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers also attended.

The discussion focused on Pennsylvania's efforts to advance career and technical education (CTE) across the state. Since Governor Shapiro took office, more than $2 billion in additional funding has been allocated to K-12 education, marking the largest investment in the state's history. Funding for vo-tech, CTE, and apprenticeship programs has increased by nearly $65 million, representing a 50 percent rise compared to previous years. As a result, over 3,000 additional students have enrolled in CTE programs throughout Pennsylvania.

"Creating opportunity for students starts in the classroom - and that means investing in every pathway to success, whether it's college, the workforce, or the military," said Governor Shapiro. "We're showing what's possible when you invest in career and technical education - giving students hands-on training, connecting them to apprenticeships, and preparing them for good-paying jobs in high-demand fields. Here at Dobbins, students are gaining real-world experience that will set them up for success, and my Administration will keep working to expand opportunities like this all across Pennsylvania - ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed."

The roundtable included participants such as Savannah Black (Dobbins CTE senior), Dr. Shervon Thompson (principal of Dobbins High School), Dr. Tony Watlington (superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia), Arthur Steinberg (president of Philadelphia Federation of Teachers), Wendy Coleman (president of American Federation of Teachers PA), Dr. Monika Williams Shealey (dean at Temple University College of Education and Human Development), and Cherelle Moore (director at The Philadelphia Inquirer).