Archived Updates
Below is a list of recent Education Updates (pdf). CLICK HERE for the current Update.
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
May 20
House Education Committee approves four charter school bills, none of which address funding; General Assembly in recess until June 3, when the push to finalize a state budget picks up speed
May 13
Today House Education Committee set to consider four charter school bills just introduced last week; EITC expansion bill approved by the House
May 6
April revenues come in above predictions; EITC expansion bill approved by House Education Committee last week with a partisan vote
April 29
A few education bills expected to be considered this week as both the House and Senate return to voting session; Pennsylvania among states slated to see decrease in Title I funding in 2019-20
April 22
From across the state: use of public funds, tax status of buildings housing charter schools; on Columbine anniversary, updates on keeping schools safe
April 15
House in session this week, then both chambers stand in recess until April 29; national study: socioeconomic achievement gap remains unchanged over the past 50 years
April 8
General Assembly in session this week, but little action on education issues expected; six states, D.C., challenge USDE relaxation of school nutrition rules
April 1
Revenue collections continue above expectations; statewide advocacy group calls for mandatory water testing in schools
March 25
Tax collection data make talk of school property tax elimination more complicated; another busy week on tap in the General Assembly
March 18
Independent Fiscal Office: Property tax elimination would require 1.90 percent PIT increase just in FY 2019-20; PA State Board of Education committee makes recommendations on gifted education
March 11
House Education Committee to hold first meeting under new chair today focused on C/T, workplace development; federal judge vacates USDOE decision to delay Obama-era special education rules
March 4
February revenues come in slightly below monthly projection but totals remain above annual estimate; the status of charter school applications is in the news
February 25
Report notes high cost of cyber charter school tuition; AASA report notes difficulty of accessing Medicaid funds for students, particularly in rural districts
February 11
Gov. Wolf unveils $34.1 billion budget proposal for 2019-20; increases for education, PreK and a proposal to raise the minimum teacher salary statewide highlight budget plan
February 4
Gov. Wolf to unveil proposed state budget on Tuesday; January revenues come in under estimate but above last January's collections
January 28
PASA/PASBO report on school district budgets finds ongoing insufficiency and lack of resources, forcing more cuts; PA court rules state must reimburse district for defunct charter school pension payments
January 14
General Assembly returns to Harrisburg this week for inauguration activities, as leaders continue to fill committee slots; State Board of Education schedules public hearings on proposed changes to Chapter 49
January 7
State revenues continue to come in above estimates; Senate Republicans, federal commission release reports on school safety
December 17
PA Supreme Court allows Lower Merion tax case to proceed on its merits; PDE releases list of 'struggling schools,' to release Act 82 school scores on Dec. 21
December 10
Trial date set for school funding lawsuit; PSERS sets 2019-20 employer contribution rate
December 3
New federal lawsuit concerns lack of civics education as a civil rights issue; report finds rising number of children with no health insurance access