Attract-Prepare-Retain (APR)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Bureau of Special Education (PDE-BSE) established Attract-Prepare-Retain (APR) to attract skilled, compassionate, and diverse individuals to the varied career options within the field of special education, to prepare special education personnel by building capacity through targeted professional development, technical assistance, and supports, and to retain special education personnel long-term through the collective efforts of federal, state, and local entities. School psychology is one specialty area in the field of special education that is a focus for APR efforts in Pennsylvania. The work of APR is guided by a Steering Committee representing varied roles within Institutions of Higher Education, state education organizations, state special education organizations, and local education agencies including approved private schools, charter schools, intermediate units, and school districts. To maximize the efficiency of the committee members, workgroups address the many facets of attracting, preparing, and retaining special education personnel. A School Psychology Workgroup is tasked to address the attraction and retention of school psychologists.
There are several active projects focusing on attracting, preparing, and retaining school psychologists in Pennsylvania, including: School Psychology Paid Internships for Out-of-State Graduate Students, Early Career Mentoring, and Networking and Learning Communities for School Psychologists. Learn more about all of Pennsylvania’s APR efforts here
.
School Psychology Paid Internships for Out-of-State Graduate Students
The School Psychology Paid Internships for Out of State Graduate Students was established as an avenue to attract graduate students with residency outside of Pennsylvania the opportunity to complete their internships in Pennsylvania Local Education Agencies (LEAs) and be paid for their services. An out-of-state graduate student is a student with primary residency in a state other than Pennsylvania, or a Pennsylvania student who is attending an out-of-state training program. Prospective interns may be students enrolled in a Pennsylvania college or university, or an out-of-state school psychology training program.
This project began for the 23-24 school year and continues at the current time, with rolling applications for interested LEAs and potential interns. If you are a graduate student enrolled in a school psychology training program who would meet the eligibility requirements, visit the APR page to browse Pennsylvania sites who are approved to accept an intern. s
The Mentoring Project
The APR Mentoring Project was established in the fall of 2022 to support novice Pennsylvania special education administrators, special education teachers, and school psychologists. Mentees with three or less years of experience were paired with mentors who had five or more years of experience to learn alongside someone in a similar role. This project continues to be active with new mentees and mentors applying and being matched, and actively engaging in mentoring activities. Mentoring pairs are expected to meet at least 30 minutes, once a month, from October to May.
Networking and Learning Communities
The Networking and Learning Communities were designed for special education personnel to collaborate and grow professionally with others who share similar job responsibilities, beginning in the 22-23 school year. The PaTTAN School Psychology initiative team plans and facilitates multiple virtual networking sessions across the school year utilizing a panel discussion and breakout room format. The virtual format allows school psychologists a convenient way to engage in meaningful learning and networking with statewide colleagues, while avoiding time spent away from their sites. Virtual offerings provide school psychologists located in areas far from PaTTAN offices with an opportunity to participate.