Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 15, 2025

HB 1701: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, further providing for referendum or public hearing required prior to construction or lease; providing for school facilities; establishing the Public School Facility Advisory Committee; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, repealing provisions relating to building condition assessments; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 1701 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change how school districts handle facility projects. It requires school entities to hold voter referendums or public hearings before constructing new buildings or leasing space, directly affecting school districts and communities. The bill establishes a Public School Facility Advisory Committee to advise on facility planning and repeals outdated requirements for schools to conduct building condition assessments. It also imposes new duties on the Department of Education to oversee school facility planning and funding. (HB 1701, passed October 2025)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Public School Facility Advisory Committee to improve school infrastructure planning, aligning with indicators for strengthening educational access and facilities.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 969: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Educational Freedom for Families Program and the Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Education and the State Treasurer.

SB 969 establishes Pennsylvania's "Educational Freedom for Families Program," providing state-funded education savings accounts for eligible students in the state's lowest-performing schools. The bill directly affects families with children in public schools ranked in the bottom 15% academically, allowing them to use funds for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschooling materials, or online programs. Key mechanisms include annual state appropriations matching per-pupil funding, portable accounts that follow students regardless of school choice, and strict oversight to prevent misuse. Additionally, the bill creates a "Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund" using reclaimed funds to award performance-based bonuses to educators based on measurable improvements in student test scores and graduation rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations for education savings accounts, increasing public funding for education programs through new budgetary commitments.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state-funded education savings accounts for students in lowest-performing schools, expanding access to private school tuition, tutoring, and online programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 354: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools, for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

SB 354 changes how Pennsylvania charter schools receive state funding for special education students, effective the 2025-2026 school year. It replaces a previous formula with a new system that provides additional funding based on three cost categories: Category 1 (1.51x base funding), Category 2 (3.77x), and Category 3 (7.46x), determined by the actual cost of services documented by the charter school. Charter schools must submit cost documentation to the state and school districts, and must return overpayments if costs are lower than received. This directly affects charter schools serving special education students and the school districts that fund them. The bill also clarifies which state education laws apply to charter schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for charter school special education through cost-based multipliers (1.51x-7.46x), advancing public education budget allocation without defunding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding for charter schools via new cost-based formula (1.51x-7.46x), advancing support for student needs in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 472: An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in licensing of drivers, further providing for learners' permits, for application for driver's license or learner's permit, for application for driver's license or learner's permit by minor and for issuance and content of driver's license; and, in fees, further providing for driver's license and learner's permit.

HB 472 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to support minors experiencing homelessness (defined as individuals under 18 meeting federal homelessness criteria under 42 U.S.C. § 11434A). It allows these minors to use temporary addresses (like schools or shelters) for license applications, substitute school/social worker signatures for parental/guardian signatures, and waive initial license/ID fees. The bill directly affects homeless youth under 18 seeking driver's licenses or learner's permits in Pennsylvania. Key provisions include updated definitions in Section 102, revised application requirements in Sections 1505(g), 1506(c), and 1507(a), and fee waivers in Sections 1510(k) and 1951(e).

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables homeless youth (under 18) to use school addresses/signatures for driver's licenses, removing barriers to transportation access for K-12 education.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling homeless minors (under 18) to obtain driver's licenses without parental signatures or fees, removing barriers to housing stability and access to services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1662: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for tax credit for Pennsylvania child learning investment.

HB 1662 would create a new tax credit under Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code for families who pay for early childhood education or learning materials for their children. Eligible taxpayers could reduce their state income tax bill by the amount spent on qualifying expenses, such as preschool tuition or educational supplies. The bill specifically targets child learning investments to offset costs for early education resources. It is currently referred to the House Finance Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing state income tax for early education expenses, providing relief for families per Fiscal Code amendment.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for early childhood education expenses, increasing access to learning resources and reducing costs for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 1799: An Act amending the act of April 3, 1992 (P.L.28, No.11), known as the Tuition Account Programs and College Savings Bond Act, in tuition account programs, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for Tuition Account Programs Bureau, for powers of department, for Tuition Account Guaranteed Savings Program, for Tuition Account Investment Program, for general provisions governing both tuition account programs and for Federal taxation; establishing the Keystone Scholars Grant Program and the Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account; and making a repeal.

HB 1799 amends Pennsylvania's 1992 Tuition Account Programs law to create the Keystone Scholars Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to students attending eligible postsecondary institutions. It establishes a dedicated Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account to fund this new scholarship initiative, directly affecting students and families participating in tuition savings programs. The bill updates existing program definitions, governance structures, and federal tax provisions while adding this new grant option to support educational access. This change expands the state's existing tuition savings framework without altering current program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Keystone Scholars Grant Program with dedicated funding account, allocating state budget resources for student scholarships, thus advancing educational funding within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Keystone Scholars Grant Program providing financial aid for postsecondary students, expanding educational access through dedicated funding for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 22, 2025

HB 1407: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department and providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and abrogating a regulation .

HB 1407 updates Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules, effective July 1, 2027. It establishes new grade spans for certificates: "Primary" (pre-K through grade 6), "Secondary" (grades 7-12), and "Specialized" (pre-K through grade 12). Current teachers with early childhood certificates can add grades 5-6 by passing an assessment or earning continuing education credits, while those with elementary/middle certificates can expand to grades 7-12 using similar pathways. The bill also requires teacher preparation programs to adjust coursework and field placements for early childhood certification, and abrogates outdated regulations inconsistent with these changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates teacher certification rules to expand grade spans and provide pathways for educators, strengthening teacher qualifications and flexibility within K-12 education framework.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Teachers Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 791: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school finances, further providing for school districts lying in more than one county or in more than one municipality and limitation on total tax revenues.

SB 791 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to provide new methods for school districts that span multiple counties or municipalities to calculate and standardize property tax revenues. It directly affects these multi-jurisdictional school districts by offering four options to set uniform tax rates across counties, including using market value calculations or adhering to statewide assessment ratios. The key mechanisms include requiring tax ratios to be uniform across counties, allowing districts to select the lowest assessment ratio for consistency, or adopting uniform millage rates under specific conditions. This aims to simplify tax collection and ensure fair revenue distribution for districts operating across county lines.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill standardizes tax revenue calculations for multi-county school districts, improving funding structure and supporting equitable education funding.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 141: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in preliminary provisions relating to retirement for school employees, further providing for definitions.

SB 141 amends Pennsylvania's education law to clarify the definition of "governmental entity" for school employee retirement purposes. It specifically excludes certain associations (authorized under the Public School Code of 1949 to collect membership dues from public schools) from being classified as "nonparticipating employers" under retirement rules. This change directly affects employees hired after the law's effective date by these excluded associations, ensuring they remain covered under the retirement system if the association maintains active participants. The bill makes a technical definition update with no new funding or program changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies retirement coverage for school employees, ensuring continued benefits for educators by excluding certain associations from nonparticipating employer status.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies retirement coverage for school employees by excluding associations from nonparticipating status, ensuring continued benefit eligibility under employment standards.90% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 799: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

SB 799 modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify how charter schools receive state funding. It requires school districts to fund charter schools at a rate equal to the district's per-student spending (minus specific district expenses like transportation and facilities) for regular students, and adds a special education funding component based on district spending ratios. For cyber charter schools, the bill limits payments to nonaffiliated cyber charters to the maximum amount the district's own affiliated cyber school would receive. This directly affects charter schools (especially cyber charters) and school districts responsible for funding student placements. The changes aim to standardize funding calculations but do not alter overall funding levels.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies state funding allocation for charter schools, requiring districts to fund at per-student rates, ensuring consistent public education spending within budget framework.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies charter school funding to require district-level per-student spending, ensuring adequate financial support for charter schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Special Education

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