PAI and Attract-Prepare-Retain
The PaTTAN Autism Initiative (PAI) supports Pennsylvania's Attract-Prepare-Retain (APR) effort. PAI invests in the educators, leaders, and systems that support students with autism and other students who have significant social communication and language needs.
PaTTAN helps align this work across the Bureau of Special Education. We deliver professional development and technical assistance built around four Implementation Pillars: Attract-Prepare-Retain, Collaborative Partnerships, Post-School Outcomes, and Evidence-Based Practices. Together, these pillars build educator capacity, foster collaboration, and expand equitable opportunities for students with disabilities.
Supporting Educators Across the Attract-Prepare-Retain Continuum
Attract-Prepare-Retain is a priority of Pennsylvania's Bureau of Special Education. It has three goals:
- Attract skilled, compassionate, and diverse people to the many career paths in special education.
- Prepare special education personnel by building their capacity through targeted professional development, technical assistance, and support.
- Retain special education personnel long-term through the combined efforts of federal, state, and local partners.
PAI supports this work by helping districts build sustainable, system-wide improvements — not just fix problems in individual classrooms. We partner with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to strengthen internal capacity, build evidence-based practices, develop coaching expertise, and create systems that last.
PAI runs on a three-year cycle. Over that time, we help districts build the knowledge, skills, structures, and leadership they need to put effective practices into place consistently. Here's how that supports each part of APR:
Attract
We help districts create professional environments where educators get meaningful support, collaboration, professional learning, and chances to build expertise in evidence-based practices.
Prepare
We build educator capacity through targeted professional development, technical assistance, coaching, modeling, and chances to apply evidence-based practices in real classrooms.
Retain
We strengthen the systems and in-house expertise that support educators over time. By developing Internal Coaches, Administrative and Implementation Teams, and sustainable instructional systems, PAI helps LEAs keep expanding effective practices long after direct PaTTAN support ends.
Building Capacity That Lasts
Supporting school staff takes more than training. It means creating conditions where educators can learn, apply new skills, collaborate, grow, and stay successful in their work.
Through this systemic support model, PAI invests in:
- Educator expertise in evidence-based practices
- Internal coaching and professional learning capacity
- Administrative and implementation systems
- Collaboration among educators, leaders, and support staff
- Opportunities for professional growth and leadership
- Sustainable systems that let effective practices continue, expand, and be replicated
PAI invests in the people and systems that create lasting outcomes for students. This work is part of Pennsylvania's larger effort to attract, prepare, and retain qualified special education personnel.
Explore Professional Learning Opportunities
PaTTAN offers professional learning, networking, and development opportunities for educators at every career stage. Visit the PaTTAN Training Calendar for current offerings related to Attract-Prepare-Retain and other professional learning across Pennsylvania.
Explore the PaTTAN Training Calendar
For more APR resources — including mentoring, networking and learning communities, and career pathways — visit the PaTTAN Attract-Prepare-Retain page.
Explore PaTTAN's Attract-Prepare-Retain Resources