HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania education officials last week rolled out a dual-front push aimed at strengthening the workforce pipeline, announcing free college credits for law enforcement officers while spotlighting student-led innovation to tackle chronic absenteeism in public schools.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education said it has entered into a five-year agreement with Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania that will allow eligible current and former law enforcement officers to earn up to 16 college credits at no cost through the state’s Institute for Law Enforcement Education.
Under the agreement, officers who complete free professional development courses offered by ILEE and are enrolled at Commonwealth University may apply the credits toward a degree in any subject area. The credits can also be awarded retroactively to officers who previously completed ILEE training. The program took effect immediately.
Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe said the initiative is designed to recognize the skills officers already possess while helping them advance in law enforcement or transition into new careers.
For more than four decades, ILEE has provided free, specialized training to thousands of officers annually in areas ranging from criminal investigation and patrol safety to traffic enforcement, legal updates, and collision analysis. State officials say translating that training into college credit removes financial and academic barriers while strengthening Pennsylvania’s workforce and higher education system.
Commonwealth University was created in 2022 through the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities. The institution offers more than 80 academic programs and was designed to expand access to affordable higher education across the Commonwealth.
The announcement came as Rowe also appeared in Lancaster County to judge a student competition that reflects the administration’s broader focus on engagement and workforce readiness earlier in the education pipeline.
At Burrowes Elementary School in the School District of Lancaster, Rowe served as a panelist for Bobcat Bank, a Shark Tank-style event in which fifth graders pitched solutions to reduce chronic absenteeism. Working in teams, students developed business-style proposals that included marketing, research, and implementation plans before presenting them to community judges.
The program, now in its second year, emphasizes collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills while tying classroom lessons to real-world challenges. District leaders say the initiative supports Lancaster’s goal of reducing habitual absenteeism by 5 percent by 2029.
School officials described the event as a rare opportunity for students to engage directly with community leaders and decision-makers, while education leaders pointed to it as an example of hands-on learning that builds early career and civic skills.
Together, the initiatives highlight a strategy that spans generations — converting professional training into college credentials for adults while cultivating innovation, engagement, and problem-solving among students still in elementary school.
State education officials said the combined efforts reflect a long-term approach to workforce development that begins in the classroom and extends through lifelong learning.
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