Education (School Funding)

This resolution (SR 8) urges the Governor to create a comprehensive plan to improve public school funding and education quality in the Commonwealth. It specifically calls for establishing an advisory commission composed of parents, teachers, school administrators, business leaders, higher education representatives, and legislators. The commission would study key issues like equitable funding sources, necessary educational programs and teacher-student ratios, the Department of Education's role in financially struggling districts, and potential changes to school code. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the Governor take these steps to address current budget challenges affecting public schools.

HB 465 (2025) amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to redirect a portion of commercial property taxes collected by school districts to intermediate units for redistribution. School districts with commercial properties valued at $10 million or more must send increasing percentages of those taxes (starting at 10% in year one, rising to 70% by year seven) to their intermediate unit's commercial property tax group. The intermediate unit then redistributes these funds to school districts based on each district's average daily student enrollment relative to the total enrollment of all districts it serves. This bill directly affects school districts containing high-value commercial properties, changing how their commercial tax revenue is collected and allocated.

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.

HB 725 extends special education enrollment for students with disabilities who were impacted by pandemic disruptions. It allows eligible students (who haven't graduated high school, had an active Individualized Education Program at age 21, and were continuously enrolled since the 2020-2021 school year) to remain in public school through the 2035-2036 school year. Parents must submit an election form to the state by April 1 each year to enroll their child, with the state approving or denying within 30 days. The bill ensures these students' attendance counts toward school funding and maintains compliance with federal and state special education requirements. This directly affects students with disabilities in Pennsylvania's public schools who met pandemic-era enrollment conditions.