Archived Updates
Below is a list of recent Education Updates (pdf). CLICK HERE for the current Update.
January 21
Push is on to prepare for the 2020 census; House Education Committee to hold hearing on cyber education today
January 13
State and federal funding for special education remains a top issue; House Education Committee to hold meeting on special education certification, hearing on cyber education
January 6, 2020
PA School Safety & Security Committee posts series of informational updates online; final federal budget for FY20 provides increases for education
December 16
Legislators begin introducing property tax reform bills; PSERS sets 2020-21 contribution rate
December 9
Legislative leaders continue work to reach consensus on property tax reform for 2020-21; November's state revenues up slightly over estimates
December 2
Chester-Upland teacvhers, parents to hold rally opposed to charter expansion; Gov. Wolf signs education bills into law
November 25
Voucher, charter school reform bills fail to garner support last week; bills on vaping, tobacco sales to minors, authority of school police sent to the governor
November 18
Voucher bill up for consideration today; Governor Wolf discusses charter school plan with PASA Board of Governors, sparking an anti-reform rally this week at the Capitol
November 11
U.S. Secret Service: Schools should focus on student social and emotional health to identify threats; report on rural schools and students identifies strengths, needs
November 4
C/T, workforce development bill signed into law; mixed NAEP results show widening gaps between struggling and high-achieving students
October 28
Report recommends districts consider research, advisability of changing high school start times; numerous education bills still under consideration this fall
October 21
Attorney General recommends spending safe schools money on mental health services; lawmakers return to session, with numerous bills on committee agendas
October 14
Student lunch debt growing in PA; DeVos unveils plan to encourage charter school growth
October 7
Vouchers, tax credit 'scholarships' and the push for school choice remain a big issue nationwide; Gov. Wolf continues push for charter school reform
September 30
Study finds no meaningful difference in achievement between charters and traditional public schools; General Assembly in recess until Oct. 21 after acting on several education bills
September 23
Vouchers, charter school funding hot topics last week, as promoters push for more EITC money, against charter funding reform; bill to require referendum on school construction poised for consideration
September 16
House returns to session this week, although specific agenda priorities remain unknown; State Board of Education directs PDE to begin review of state science standards
September 9
PDE release Act 1 index for 2020-21; PCCD announces NASRO training information, opens application window for school safety and security grants
August 26
Charter schools remain ‘hot topic’ in Harrisburg and across the state; analysis finds PA ranks 38th in the nation for early childhood programs
August 19
Gov. Wolf announces major initiative to change accountability standards, funding for charter schools and issues an executive order on gun violence; lawmakers continue conversations about what to do about property taxes
August 12
IFO releases revenue estimates for 2019-20; national poll results show Americans rate their local schools high, but half of America's teachers have considered learing the profession
August 5
Safe2Say issues first annual report, finding most tips concern student mental health issues and bullying; PDE provides information about new flexible instructional day program
July 29
Data indicates middle'high school cyberbullying on the rise; Congress, White House reach agreement on federal spending
July 15
State Board of Education approves Keystone Composite score and the PA Alternate System of Assessment (PASA) Performance Level Descriptors and Cut-Scores for 2019-20; PA Auditor General: PA should replace the Keystone Exams
July 8
State revenues end year on the plus side; Gov. Wolf signs additional education bills into law, including a school safety bill
July 1
Lawmakers finalize state budget, School Code bills, although several remain on the governor's desk unsigned; charter school reform, educator evaluation and teacher salary issue remain unresolved
June 24
Budget and policy talks in high gear this week as lawmakers aim toward resolution by the end of the week; Gov. Wolf vetoes bill providing huge boost to EITC program, with that issue now part of budget negotiations
June 17
Four charter school 'reform' bills could see action this week - but without funding reform; bill to drastically increase EITC tax credits now on Gov. Wolf's desk
June 10
Numerous education bills slated for committee and possible floor consideration this week – including four charter school “reform” bills and a bill to drastically increase EITC tax credits; charter school study finds some success but too much failure among charter schools, particularly cyber charters
June 3
Lawmakers gearing up for push to finalizing a state budget - so expect the unexpected; U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeal of Pennsylvania school transgender case