Archived Updates
Below is a list of recent Education Updates (pdf). CLICK HERE for the current Update.
October 14
Student lunch debt growing in PA; DeVos unviles 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