Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 496: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in educational tax credits, further providing for school participation in program.

SB 496 requires nonpublic schools participating in Pennsylvania's educational tax credit program to adopt a written policy prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. This change directly affects private and parochial schools that receive tax credits through the state's program. The bill amends the Public School Code by adding this specific nondiscrimination requirement as a condition for school participation. It does not alter tax credit amounts or other program eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires nondiscrimination policies in tax credit schools, promoting inclusive educational access for LGBTQ+ students under state-funded program conditions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 126: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for special provisions applicable to 2025-2026 school year.

SB 126 requires Pennsylvania universities that host or support antisemitic events to lose state funding for the 2025-2026 school year. If a university received funding before such an event, it must refund the state. The law defines antisemitism broadly to include acts like denying the Holocaust, comparing Israeli policy to Nazis, or spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish people, with the State Board of Education handling violations through 30-day hearings. This applies to all Pennsylvania universities receiving state funding under the Public School Code.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds universities hosting antisemitic events, directly restricting state education funding per bill's mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 33: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for comprehensive school counseling services.

This bill requires all Pennsylvania public schools (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to develop written comprehensive school counseling plans. Each plan must ensure 80% of a school counselor's time is spent on direct student services (like individual counseling, classroom instruction) or indirect services (like parent consultations), with annual reviews and grade-level planning. The plans must address academic, career, and social-emotional needs for all students, including those with special needs, and align with state guidance. School counselors must hold valid Pennsylvania certification to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates comprehensive counseling plans requiring 80% counselor time on direct student services to address academic/career/social-emotional needs, enhancing student support programs.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school counseling plans addressing social-emotional needs, directly supporting mental health services in schools as part of healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 1535: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for grading, classification and promotion of pupils.

HB 1535 amends Pennsylvania's school promotion rules for students in grades 3-8, directly affecting those who score significantly below state proficiency on reading and math tests. It requires schools to retain students more than three years below reading proficiency (grade 3-8) or four years below math proficiency (grade 3-8) unless they have a parent-approved improvement plan (e.g., summer school, tutoring) or have already been retained twice. The law establishes specific performance levels tied to state test results, mandates individual improvement plans for struggling students, and creates appeal committees for parents. Exceptions apply for students with certain disabilities, and schools must use alternative assessments if test data is unavailable.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires student retention for proficiency gaps, restricting advancement without improvement plans, aligning with 'limit' in oppose indicators.85% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HB 265: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in compensation, further providing for benefits based on service for educational institutions.

HB 265 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to change eligibility rules for workers at educational institutions, such as teachers or staff employed on a term-by-term basis. It removes a prior requirement that these workers must prove they would not return to the same institution for the next academic term to receive benefits during breaks between terms. This change applies to service performed after the bill's effective date and aligns with federal guidelines (26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(6)). The bill directly affects temporary and part-time employees in schools and colleges who experience academic breaks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers for educational staff to access unemployment benefits, supporting educator welfare and aligning with federal guidelines.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement preventing term-based educational workers from accessing unemployment benefits, expanding eligibility per federal guidelines (26 U.S.C. § 3304(a).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 827: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Cross-age Tutoring Program.

HB 827 creates a state-mandated Cross-age Tutoring Program within Pennsylvania's public schools. It requires the Department of Education to publish evidence-based guidelines enabling 11th and 12th grade students (under teacher supervision) to volunteer as tutors for younger students. The program must include tutor qualifications, tutee eligibility, academic credits for tutors, training, and session structure, while ensuring tutoring supplements - rather than replaces - existing instructional services. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school entities (districts, charter schools, etc.) and students in grades 11-12 who participate as tutors or receive tutoring.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 827 mandates a state-supported cross-age tutoring program in public schools, providing academic credits for tutors and evidence-based guidelines to enhance student learning opportunities without replacing existing instruction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 934: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification.

SB 934 requires cyber charter schools and parents to notify a student's school district of residence within 10 days of enrollment and provide proof of residency by November 1 and March 1 each school year using a standardized form. If a school district disputes residency, the department must review the case within 15 days, and cyber charter schools must return funds to the district if a student is confirmed not to reside there. Homeless students are exempt from providing home address information under federal guidelines. This bill directly affects cyber charter schools, parents, and school districts in Pennsylvania by clarifying enrollment rules and dispute resolution processes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures proper allocation of education funds by requiring cyber charter schools to verify student residency and return funds if residency is disputed, protecting district funding integrity.92% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 256: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in inheritance tax, further providing for transfers not subject to tax.

HB 256 exempts transfers of funds from qualified tuition programs (like 529 college savings plans) from Pennsylvania's inheritance tax when moved to the designated beneficiary or their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is under 18. It uses federal definitions from the Internal Revenue Code (Section 529) to define "qualified tuition program" and "designated beneficiary." The change applies to estates of people who died after November 6, 2023. This policy directly affects families using these education savings programs by removing an inheritance tax burden on transferred funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts 529 plan transfers from inheritance tax, reducing tax burden on families saving for education, aligning with tax relief for middle-income households.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts 529 college savings transfers from inheritance tax, enhancing access to higher education funding and reducing financial barriers for families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2025

HR 138: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the state of civic education in Pennsylvania and develop recommendations on cost-efficient, feasible steps that the Commonwealth can adopt to increase the accessibility and quality of civic education opportunities for students.

This resolution (HR 138) orders Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission to study civic education in the state and develop cost-effective recommendations to improve it. It directly affects Pennsylvania students and schools by requiring an analysis of current civics assessments (under Act 35 of 2018), comparisons with high-performing states, and strategies to strengthen civic education across three pillars: knowledge, skills, and action. The study must include evaluations of existing assessment methods, successful models from other states, and approaches to boost student engagement, with a report due within 18 months. The resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy based on evidence.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates study to develop recommendations improving civic education quality/access, directly aligning with support indicators for enhancing student programs and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2025

HB 1709: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty.

HB 1709 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require institutions of higher education to provide employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty. This bill directly affects part-time and adjunct professors at colleges and universities, who often lack formal job security documentation. The key provision mandates that schools issue written certification confirming employment terms, such as hours and contract duration, for these faculty members. The bill aims to create clearer employment records for part-time educators under the state's higher education framework. It was referred to the Education committee on July 9, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates employment certification for adjunct faculty, enhancing job security and protections for educators in higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates written employment certification for adjunct faculty, clarifying hours and contract terms to enhance job security and transparency for workers under employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Professional Licensing

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