Education (K-12 Education)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 727: 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, further providing for definitions, for Keystone Exams and graduation requirements and for special provisions applicable to the Keystone Exams, graduation requirements and alternative competency assessment; in district superintendents and assistant district superintendents, further providing for performance review; in professional employees, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, further providing for assisting students experiencing education instability; in E-chievement Program, further providing for definitions; and, in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace the Keystone Exams with the ACT test for high school graduation requirements in algebra I, literature, and biology, effective July 1, 2027. After that date, students must meet proficiency through the ACT or alternative pathways, including completing local coursework, scoring well on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, or providing evidence of postsecondary readiness. The bill updates definitions to include the ACT test and clarifies how students can demonstrate proficiency without taking the Keystone Exams. It directly affects Pennsylvania high school students and school districts responsible for implementing graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces Keystone Exams with ACT and offers alternative pathways (AP/IB, coursework) for graduation, enhancing flexibility and college readiness in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 332: 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 media literacy education.

HB 332 requires Pennsylvania public schools (K-12) to incorporate media literacy education into their curriculum starting the school year after the law takes effect. The state Department of Education must develop an age-appropriate model curriculum within six months, covering skills like identifying bias, recognizing misinformation, understanding media influence, and evaluating messages. School districts must adopt this curriculum, and the state will provide free resources and teacher training through public websites. This law directly affects all Pennsylvania public school students and educators by mandating concrete media literacy instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates media literacy curriculum integration for K-12, enhancing student critical thinking and media evaluation skills per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 653: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for panic alerts.

HB 653, known as Alyssa's Law, requires all Pennsylvania public school buildings (including elementary, middle, and high school campuses) to install silent panic alert systems. These systems must be manually activated via devices like buttons or apps and immediately send emergency alerts directly to designated local law enforcement responders during security threats like active shooters or lockdowns. The law defines "panic alerts" as silent notifications for life-threatening emergencies and specifies that the alert must link to first responders on the school's campus. This mandate applies to all buildings used for instruction during school hours, replacing vague prior security language with a concrete equipment requirement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates silent panic alert systems in all public schools for safety during emergencies, directly protecting educational environments under school safety policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 11, 2025

SB 620: 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, providing for automated external defibrillator placement, inspection, maintenance and plan; in school health services, further providing for automatic external defibrillators; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

SB 620 requires all Pennsylvania public and charter schools to install at least one automated external defibrillator (AED) in each K-12 school building or facility by the 2025-2026 school year. Schools must place AEDs in accessible, centrally located spots with clear signage, register them with the National AED Registry and local emergency services, and conduct regular inspections to ensure functionality. The bill mandates that at least 10% of school staff be certified in CPR and AED use (renewing every two years) and requires schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and publicly report AED maintenance records. This applies to all schools hosting students or school activities, with specific accessibility standards to comply with disability laws.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires AEDs and CPR training in K-12 schools for safety, improving school infrastructure and protecting student/staff well-being within educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs in schools and staff CPR/AED certification, directly enhancing emergency cardiac care access and public health safety in educational settings.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 606: 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 early human life development education.

HB 606 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools to integrate "early human life development education" into biology courses starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This mandates including specific ultrasound videos showing fetal development at 8, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, and 37 weeks' gestation, plus a computer-generated animation of fertilization and prenatal development stages. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charters, cyber charters) and directly affects all K-12 students in Pennsylvania. It amends the 1949 Public School Code to standardize this curriculum component within existing biology requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific curriculum content (early human life development) in K-12 biology, directly addressing educational curriculum standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 59: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in community colleges, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of State Board of Education and for degrees.

SB 59 clarifies Pennsylvania's definition of "community college" to explicitly include programs like career training, college-parallel courses, and credit courses for high school students. It grants the State Board of Education authority to set mandatory standards for community college facilities, curriculum, faculty qualifications, student enrollment, and degree requirements. The bill also requires the State Board to prescribe all types of diplomas and certificates awarded by community colleges and permits them to offer nursing bachelor's degrees to students with associate's in nursing. This directly affects community colleges and their students across Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies community college definition to include career training/high school courses, mandates State Board standards for curriculum/faculty, and requires diploma/certificate prescriptions, expanding access and strengthening educational standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HR 273: A Resolution urging school districts to adopt later secondary school start times.

This resolution urges Pennsylvania school districts to consider later start times for secondary schools (high schools), citing studies showing teens need 8-10 hours of sleep but 98% of PA schools begin before 8:30 a.m. It references CDC and AAP research linking later start times to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and better mental health outcomes. The bill encourages districts to collaborate with health professionals and educators to develop schedules that maintain educational activities while adopting later start times, and asks state agencies to provide resources and public education on adolescent sleep needs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require policy changes but recommends action based on existing evidence.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUrges later start times citing CDC/AAP studies linking to improved academic performance, reduced absenteeism, and mental health - directly supports student outcomes in education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly cites CDC/AAP research linking later school start times to improved mental health outcomes, directly supporting mental health as a healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 892: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in high schools, providing for transition coordinators in senior high schools.

HB 892 requires Pennsylvania school districts to hire at least one full-time transition coordinator for each senior high school. These coordinators will develop personalized career plans for students, focusing on employment readiness, community-based activities, and job placement coordination, in alignment with the 2018 Employment First Act. The law directly affects high school students transitioning to work or further education, school districts (which must hire staff), and the Department of Education (which ensures compliance). Key provisions mandate individualized planning, partnerships with community entities, and oversight to support students' career pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates transition coordinators for career planning, enhancing student employment readiness and post-graduation pathways under Employment First Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education K-12 Education

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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 1014: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for bell-to-bell mobile device policy.

SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates phone-free classrooms to reduce distractions, directly supporting learning environment in K-12 schools. No funding cuts or curriculum restrictions; clear intent to strengthen educational focus.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill mandates restriction of personal electronic devices in schools during instruction, limiting technology access and use in educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 816: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for parent educational information regarding eating disorders.

SB 816 requires Pennsylvania public schools serving grades 6-12 to annually provide parents with educational materials about eating disorders. The bill directly affects parents of middle and high school students by mandating schools to share information via email, mail, or school websites. Key mechanisms include creating a state Task Force (with health and education experts) to develop guidelines for school staff and parent resources on eating disorder warning signs and support services. The guidelines must be updated annually by the Task Force and incorporated into school health materials. This law amends the Public School Code to standardize parent education on eating disorders across all Pennsylvania school entities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school health education for parents on eating disorders, enhancing student health resources within K-12 framework per Public School Code amendment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school health education on eating disorders (mental health) and creates task force for parent resources, supporting mental health awareness and access to services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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