September 02, 2025 - Philadelphia, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary Carrie Rowe joined the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten, the Center for American Progress (CAP) President & CEO Neera Tanden, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, and leaders from the School District of Philadelphia at Murrell Dobbins Career and Technical High School to highlight how Pennsylvania is leading the way on career and technical education (CTE) - giving more young people the freedom to chart their own course and build careers right here in Pennsylvania.Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has secured more than $2 billion in additional funding for K-12 education - the largest investment in Pennsylvania history - and increased funding for vo-tech, CTE, and apprenticeships by nearly $65 million, a 50 percent increase compared to before he took office. Thanks to these investments, more than 3,000 additional students are now enrolled in CTE programs across the Commonwealth."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."Roundtable Participarts (L to R):CHERELLE MOORE - DIRECTOR, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRERSAVANNAH BLACK - DOBBINS CTE SENIORDR. SHERVON THOMPSON - PRINCIPAL, DOBBINS HSDR. TONY WATLINGTON - SUPERINTENDENT, SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIAMAYOR CHERELLE PARKERNEERA TANDEN - PRESIDENT AND CEO, CAPGOVERNOR JOSH SHAPIRORANDI WEINGARTEN - PRESIDENT, AFTDR. CARRIE ROWE - ACTING SECRETARY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONARTHUR STEINBERG - PRESIDENT, PHILADELPHIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS (PFT)WENDY COLEMAN - PRESIDENT, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS PA (AFT-PA)DR. MONIKA WILLIAMS SHEALEY - DEAN, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
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