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May 20, 2022
The Senate and House of Representatives are adjourned and will return to the Capitol next Monday, May 23.
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Your emails and calls needed now! Voucher bill HB 2169 ready for Senate action
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The Senate Education Committee is poised to vote on House Bill 2169 (Rep. Owlett, R- Tioga), legislation passed by the House in late April that creates a voucher program for taxpayer-dollars to be taken from public school subsidies and given to unaccountable nonpublic schools. Vouchers reduce equitable access to educational opportunity, weaken rights for students with disabilities, fail to provide accountability, and expose taxpayers to fraud.
We need to block passage of House Bill 2169 and this latest attempt to sell vouchers. If the bill is approved by the Education Committee, it could quickly go to the full Senate for a vote.
Click here to send a letter and/or make a phone call to your senator. Once you are on the Take Action page, you can:
- Click on the envelope icon to send a letter to your senator. NOTE: This is new letter.
- Click on the phone icon to make a phone call to your senator. NOTE: Talking points are provided when you click on the icon.
Tell your legislator that instead of pushing vouchers for private schools, the state should strengthen investments in public schools!
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Submit proposals now for PSBA’s 2023 Legislative Platform
Proposals accepted May 20-July 22, information and online submission form now posted on PSBA's website
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Your school board is invited to submit proposals for consideration for PSBA’s 2023 Legislative Platform. The window for your board to submit proposals will be open from May 20 to July 22. Please remember to include this on your board agenda for May, June or July and submit the online form to PSBA. Information and guidelines, along with the online submission form, are now available on PSBA’s website.
Under the process, boards may:
- Voice support for the continuation of specific current platform statements
- Create new proposals
- Amend existing platform language
- Suggest the deletion of a current statement
New proposals and amendments should be written in the same style as the current 2022 platform. All proposals should include a brief statement of rationale that explains why your board believes the item should be included in the platform. All proposals and rationale for the proposal must be approved by the board and verified by the board secretary. In other words, an individual board member may not submit an item on his or her own behalf.
All items will be considered by the PSBA Platform Committee on September 17, with final consideration by the Delegate Assembly on November 5. In addition, this year school directors will be invited to participate in a separate process to select PSBA’s Legislative Priorities for the upcoming 2023-24 session of the General Assembly. More information on the priority selection process will be available soon.
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IRRC approves new state science standards, other changes to Chapter 4 regs
This week the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) unanimously approved new state science standards proposed by the State Board of Education. The proposal also includes other amendments that align state regulations with recent changes in statute.
State science standards: The State Board of Education’s new state science standards are found in regulations in Title 22, Chapter 4. These standards will replace the current standards with the Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment, Ecology, Technology and Engineering (Grades K-5), Pennsylvania Integrated Standards for Science, Environment and Ecology (Grades 6-12), and Pennsylvania Technology and Engineering Standards (Grades 6- 12). Implementation of the new standards will become effective July 1, 2025, allowing for a three-year period for schools and teachers to update curriculum and materials. The state PSSA assessments for science and the Keystone Exam for Biology will be revised to be aligned with the new standards and administered after July 1, 2025. Click here to see the new science standards, Appendix B-1.
Chapter 4 technical amendments: The regulatory package also includes proposed technical amendments to Chapter 4 that include the implementation date for the new science standards and bring the regulation into line with recent changes in the School Code concerning graduation requirements, lowering the compulsory school age to 6 years, and terminology for career and technical schools. Click here to read the amendments.
Pennsylvania’s Broadband Authority ready to deploy minimum of $100 million in “Internet for All” funds
This week Governor Tom Wolf announced that the state is ready to manage more than $100 million in federal funds to deploy affordable, high-speed internet to Pennsylvanians. Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the launch of “Internet for All” to provide internet for everyone in America by the end of the decade. The $45 billion initiative is made of up three programs to build internet infrastructure, teach digital skills, and provide necessary technology to ensure that everyone has the access and skills needed.
Pennsylvania will receive at least $100 million from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program. Hundreds of millions in additional formula funding will be made based on the forthcoming coverage maps from the Federal Communications Commission. To prepare for this funding and ensure oversight and support for broadband deployment in the state, the General Assembly passed what is now Act 96 of 2021, which established the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority which is charged with creating a statewide broadband plan and distributing both state and federal funds for broadband expansion in unserved and underserved areas of the commonwealth.
AG Shapiro files brief in support of school funding lawsuit
This week Attorney General Josh Shapiro filed an amicus brief in support of the school funding lawsuit that took place in Commonwealth Court. The brief examines the language of the Constitution and court decisions from Pennsylvania and other states. It also provides the Court with a historical perspective about the adoption of the Education Clause, and how it was modernized in 1967 to expand the General Assembly’s obligation. The brief concludes that, “properly interpreted, the Education Clause requires the General Assembly to provide every child in Pennsylvania a comprehensive, effective, and contemporary public education.” The brief further argues that the General Assembly is failing to meet its constitutional obligations. The brief argues that “the Court must look both at the resources going into Pennsylvania’s public schools and at whether our children are actually learning and graduating ready for career and civil life. The evidence shows that Pennsylvania public schools are lacking on both accounts, notwithstanding the best efforts of teachers and administrators. As a result, the General Assembly is not providing for a “thorough and efficient” public education system.”
Closing arguments took place in March, and post-trial briefs and proceedings will continue until at least July. A decision could be weeks or months after that. The decision is likely to be appealed by the losing party, so the final decision is likely to rest with the state Supreme Court. For more information on the lawsuit, visit the Fund Our Schools PA website.
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Advocacy Heroes in Action: Rep. Hill-Evans visits West York SD
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Rep. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York) recently visited the West York School District. She attended the Special Education/Pupil Services Department meeting to present citations to staff in recognition of the importance of social work services. She also spent time with staff to discuss various challenges faced by school districts. In a separate visit, Rep. Hill-Evans spoke with students on topics ranging from charter school reform to considering teaching as a career path.
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Both visits were organized through PSBA’s Show Them What It Takes program with the assistance of PSBA Advocacy Ambassador Lynn Kohler.
Are you an Advocacy Hero? Under PSBA's new Advocacy Engagement Program, there are many ways school directors can assist in educating legislators that have a positive impact on our public schools and students. This recognition program honors the advocacy work you are doing every day. Click here to learn more.
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