Alvernia–Caterpillar STEM Deal: Who Really Benefits?

Alvernia University and Caterpillar announced a $1.04 million STEM partnership claiming to benefit 9,200 students across Berks County. But Governor Mifflin sent zero students to the regional science fair, 15 of 18 district schools rank poorly, and the clearest beneficiaries are educators receiving paid Oxford trips and automatic raises — not kids in classrooms. The Mifflin Report investigates who this deal really serves.

Investigative Report  |  March 2026 On March 24, 2026, the Reading Eagle ran a feel-good story about a new partnership: Alvernia University and Caterpillar collaborating to "strengthen STEM education" in Berks County. A $1.04 million grant. Over 9,200 students and educators. Executives smiling for cameras alongside the university president. Beneath the press release, the results are far less impressive. Students Left Behind The program claims to benefit students. The data tells a different story. Governor Mifflin School District produced zero participants at the regional science fair this year — a concrete, measurable indicator of STEM engagement. Meanwhile, 15 of 18 schools in the district rank poorly in Berks County , meaning the majority of students are failing to meet basic academic standards. Yes, some students succeed — and their accomplishments deserve recognition. But the overall picture is troubling: most students are not benefiting , despite a program that claims to transform STEM education across the region. The Numbers That Don't Make the Headlines Zero Governor Mifflin students at the regional science fair 15 of 18 district schools rank poorly in Berks County $1.04 million grant — measurable student gains: unclear Teacher Perks, Not Student Progress So where is the money actually going? The real beneficiaries appear to be the educators themselves. What educators receive: Paid trips to Oxford and other learning sites Graduate-level certificates and professional development workshops Extra compensation tied to participation Professional growth is valuable. But it has not translated into measurable improvements for students . Taxpayers are funding experiences that primarily enrich teachers — not the children sitting in classrooms. Costs and Contracts Out of Control The program's timing highlights deeper financial problems in Governor Mifflin: Teacher contracts include automatic raises for five years , continuously inflating salary costs Construction projects continue despite poor completion rates and high costs The primary "winners" in the district are teacher pay and contractors — not students Despite generous spending, the district continues to struggle academically — raising serious questions about fiscal responsibility and priorities. Workforce Development vs. Student Needs Alvernia and Caterpillar promote the initiative as building "talent pipelines" for technical careers. But the program's design reflects corporate interests more than local student needs . Geographic focus follows Caterpillar's dealer network — not Berks County priorities. The curriculum favors teacher experience over measurable student achievement. The beneficiaries of this arrangement aren't hard to identify. The Bottom Line Berks County students deserve programs that produce measurable results — not travel perks and automatic salary increases for teachers. Taxpayers are investing millions. The only clear winners so far are teacher salaries and construction companies. Students are still waiting. Until independent evaluation demonstrates tangible improvements in STEM learning, the Alvernia–Caterpillar initiative remains a taxpayer-funded program that benefits adults and corporations more than the students it claims to serve. This program has the potential to help our future. But for now, we wait and see — and we watch where the money goes. Editor's Note: This report is based on publicly available press releases, program materials, and local education data. It highlights the importance of accountability, measurable outcomes, and fiscal responsibility in public education.