Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 230: 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 parental control relating to instructional materials and books containing sexually explicit content.

SB 230 would require Pennsylvania public and private schools to obtain parental permission before providing students with instructional materials containing sexually explicit content. Schools must develop policies identifying such materials (defined as including visual depictions of specific sexual acts) and implement an opt-in form for parents to approve access. If parents do not approve or submit the form, students must receive alternative non-explicit materials. The bill applies to all Pennsylvania school entities (including charter and cyber schools) and mandates school boards to adopt these policies by August 2025 after public input. The bill is pending in the Education committee.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts curriculum by requiring parental permission for sexually explicit materials, limiting access without consent and mandating alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HR 146: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to fully cooperate with Federal efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education, reaffirming Pennsylvania's sovereign authority over its educational system and recognizing the need for State-led education solutions to improve outcomes for Pennsylvania students.

This Pennsylvania House resolution (HR 146) urges Congress to cooperate with efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. It argues that education policy should be managed by states like Pennsylvania, citing federal funding mandates and claims that the Department has not improved student outcomes (referencing NAEP data). The resolution does not change any laws or funding but formally requests federal action to transfer education authority to states. It reaffirms Pennsylvania's constitutional duty to manage its public education system for 1.7 million students across 500 school districts.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly seeks to eliminate U.S. Department of Education and transfer authority to states, opposing federal oversight of education policy per its title and summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1115: 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, providing for fund balance limits.

HB 1115 sets limits on the reserve funds that cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania can hold at the end of each school year. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, these schools must keep general unspent reserves below 8% of total budgeted expenditures, combined funds set aside for specific purposes below 4%, and total reserves below 12%. The bill defines key terms like "funds set aside for specific purposes" to clarify how the limits apply. It directly affects cyber charter schools, which are publicly funded online schools operating under Pennsylvania's charter system.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes strict reserve fund limits (8% general, 4% specific, 12% total) on cyber charter schools, restricting their financial flexibility and management of funds per Public School Code amendment.85% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 688: 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, providing for cyber charter school moratorium.

HB 688 imposes a 13-year freeze on new cyber charter school approvals in Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2038. The bill prohibits the Pennsylvania Department of Education from reviewing or approving any new applications for cyber charter schools during this period, regardless of when the application was submitted. This directly affects organizations or entities seeking to establish new cyber charter schools in the state. The policy change specifically targets new school applications while leaving existing cyber charter schools unaffected.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationImposes 13-year moratorium on new cyber charter school approvals, restricting expansion of virtual education options within K-12 education policy.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyImposes 13-year moratorium on new cyber charter schools, restricting technology-based education expansion per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 987: 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 prohibitions regarding ideological oaths or statements, for prohibition on diversity, equity and inclusion offices and employees, for statements required to be included in mission statement, bylaws, faculty handbook and student handbook, for certain mandatory training prohibited, for revoking tenure for diversity, equity and inclusion violations and for spending restricted; and imposing penalties.

HB 987 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities at public institutions of higher education, including state universities, community colleges, and state-related schools like Penn State and Temple. The bill prohibits requiring ideological statements (such as race-based declarations or DEI-related views), bans DEI offices and staff, mandates specific language in mission statements and handbooks, and restricts DEI-related training and spending. Public institutions must report compliance annually starting December 2025, and the bill allows tenure revocation for DEI violations. It explicitly excludes academic coursework, research, student organizations, and guest speakers from these restrictions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBans DEI offices/staff, prohibits DEI training, mandates restrictive language in handbooks; directly restricts DEI activities in higher education curriculum and operations.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1351: 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, prohibiting the integration of culturally relevant and sustaining education into education preparation, induction and continuing professional development programs; and abrogating regulations.

HB 1351 prohibits Pennsylvania public school teacher preparation, induction, and professional development programs from incorporating culturally relevant and sustaining education - teaching methods that reflect students' backgrounds and experiences. The bill directly affects educators and school staff who participate in these training programs. It achieves this by amending the Public School Code to ban such education and repealing related regulations (22 Pa. Code §§ 49.1, 49.13-49.17) that previously addressed the topic. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly prohibits culturally relevant education in teacher training, restricting curriculum content and academic freedom in education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 246: 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, prohibiting certain diversity training and courses.

HB 246 prohibits Pennsylvania public and state-related institutions of higher education from requiring students to complete diversity training or diversity courses to graduate or earn credit. It specifically bans programs based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, or oppression are inherent in U.S. institutions, as defined in the bill. The law applies to community colleges, rural regional colleges, state universities, state-related institutions, and Thaddeus Stevens College. It does not ban all diversity-related content but targets courses or training explicitly founded on the specified theories. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits mandatory diversity courses in higher ed, restricting curriculum content related to systemic issues per bill's explicit ban on required diversity training.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SR 68: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to fully cooperate with Federal efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education, reaffirming Pennsylvania's sovereign authority over its educational system and recognizing the need for State-led education solutions to improve outcomes for Pennsylvania students.

This resolution (SR 68) urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. It states Pennsylvania seeks to exercise its state authority over education, arguing federal mandates limit the state's ability to address local needs like teacher shortages and student outcomes. The resolution cites Pennsylvania's constitutional duty to provide public education and claims federal education funding (e.g., $15 billion in Title I) could be redirected to state priorities if the Department of Education is dismantled. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but expresses Pennsylvania's position on education policy.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly seeks to eliminate U.S. Department of Education, opposing federal education oversight and advocating state control over funding/mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 27: 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, providing for cyber charter school moratorium.

SB 27 freezes the approval process for new cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania. It prohibits the state education department from reviewing or acting on any new applications for these schools from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2038, regardless of when the application was submitted. This directly affects potential new cyber charter school operators and the department’s application review process. Existing cyber charter schools are not impacted by this moratorium.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts new cyber charter school approvals, limiting expansion of alternative education options in K-12 system90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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