Education Update
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What’s Inside this Issue:
- PASA Professional Learning Opportunities:
- March 18-20: Registration is now open for PASA's 2026 Leadership Forum: Breaking the Mold: Leadership that Turns Challenges into Opportunities
- February 4: Aspiring to Leadership (Virtual Session)
- New Superintendents’ Academy-Phase 1 (Register Here)
- Superintendents Academy-Phase 2 (Register Here)
- January 7 | February 18: Virtual Book Study: Hardwiring Excellence In Education (Four-part series)
- Key News in Health, Safety, Equity and Learning:
- Play-Based Learning Yields More Joy, Higher Scores At This Elementary School
- Cancellation Of Mental Health Grants Rules Unlawful
- Congress Passes Bill Allowing Schools To Offer Whole Milk, Nondairy Options
- State News:
- PA Adopts Science-Of-Reading Reforms After Years Of Reading Struggles
- A Look Back At The Year In K-12 Education In Pennsylvania
- PA’s Largest Cyber School Is Spending $700 Million On A Network Of Buildings
- National News
- Appeals Court Halts Ruling Letting Teachers Disclose Students’ Gender Identity
- Are Students ‘Quiet Quitting’? What The Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12
- Tracking the Supreme Court’s Impact On K-12 Schools
- 10 Useful Tech Tools For Educators In 2026: A Practical Guide
- Food Insecurity Is Surging Among Child Care Providers
Act now to ensure you get a hotel room at the Penn Stater!
Great leaders don’t wait for change—they shape it.
Act 45 Hours Available!
Today’s leaders need bold, future-focused strategies to meet the needs of a changing school environment.
Join school leaders from across the Commonwealth at PASA’s 2026 Leadership Forum: Breaking the Mold: Leadership that Turns Challenges into Opportunities, at the Penn Stater in State College where we’ll explore how innovative leadership can turn challenges into opportunities for students, staff, and school communities.
Wednesday, March 18
Dr. David Schuler & Dr. Sherri Smith: Innovative Minds and Catalysts for Change
Focus: National and state insights shaping public education’s future
Thursday, March 19
Natalie Nixon, Ph.D.: Ideas Artist, Transformational leader and Creativity Whisperer to Leadership
Focus: Creativity, innovation, and the future of work
PLUS: Each attendee will receive a copy of Dr. Nixon’s new book, “Move. Think. Rest”
Joseph T. Yun, Ph.D. : Entrepreneur, Professor and Big-Picture thinker
Focus: AI’s growing impact and what schools can do to better equip learners for an unknown future.
Friday, March 20
Sucheta Kamath: Cognitive fitness expert and executive function trailblazer
Focus: Strengthening executive function for both the adults and future-ready learners
PLUS:
Arrive early and jumpstart your Leadership Forum experience with two powerful workshops designed to elevate your leadership and broaden your perspective.
Petteri Elo’s session, "From Finland to Pennsylvania", will expand your global lens by exploring immersive and phenomenon-based learning strategies that boost relevance, curiosity, and deeper student engagement.
Dr. Sherri Smith’s "Advancing Advocacy for a Stronger Public Education System in Pennsylvania", session will equip leaders to influence policy, strengthen community engagement, and champion the future of public education.
Click here to learn more and register.
Aspiring to Leadership | February 4 | VIrtual Workshop
Strong school systems don't happen by accident— they are built through intentional leadership development.
Strong and effective leaders are the cornerstone of successful public schools — and the future of our schools depends on those willing to step forward and lead.
If you’re considering a future as a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent, join us for the Aspiring to Leadership Workshop on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
This one-day virtual workshop brings together experienced district leaders, PASA leadership, legal experts, and sitting superintendents and assistant superintendents to provide practical insight, honest reflection, and real-world guidance on what it truly means to step into these critical roles.
What Participants will gain:
- A realistic look at the superintendency and assistant superintendency
- Insight into the search and interview process from both district and board perspectives
- Guidance on contract, transitions, and leadership responsibilities
- Practical advice on preparing now—professionally and personally
- Perspective on work-life fit, leadership readiness, and career timing
Visit PASA's website to learn more about workshop, the day's schedule and to register.
Investment: $89
Note: Current Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents: Please share with emerging leaders in your district so we can grow the next generation together.
Apply Now: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Available
PCCD last week released funding announcements to address school safety and student mental health, community violence intervention and prevention and programming for at-risk youth.
The deadline to apply is February 27, 2026
Note: The official documents may show a January 28, 2026 deadline date.
You can view more information in the Question & Answer document that accompanies the funding announcement. As in past years, PCCD will also be reaching out to school entities who have not yet started an application as that due date draws near.
PCCD also wanted to make you aware that both the 24-25 School Mental Health Aggregate Data presentation and the 2025 School Safety and Security School Code Updates presentation that were provided at last week’s meeting are now posted to the School Safety and Security Committee webpage for public access.
Reminder! PASA's New Membership Year Started October 1. If you have not yet renewed your membership, take action today to retain your benefits.
Why Renew?
- Lead and Influence: PASA is your statewide advocate—amplifying your voice on education policy, legislation, and school leadership priorities.
- Learn and Grow: Access high-quality, relevant professional development tailored to your leadership journey, including Act 45 hours and cutting-edge leadership programming.
- Stay Informed: Get timely updates through our weekly alerts, monthly newsletters, PASAConnect discussions, and free webinars covering the latest in state policy and administrative guidance.
- Connect and Collaborate: Build strong peer networks with education leaders statewide through exclusive events, forums, and legal support for commissioned officer contracts.
These subscriptions, listed below, ensure that our members have access to timely and relevant news and insights often highlighted in PASA’s Education Update each Monday.
- Education Week: July 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026 (includes 3 bonus months at no additional cost!)
- Philadelphia Inquirer: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026
- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026
Your continued membership fuels PASA’s mission and ensures you remain at the forefront of school leadership excellence.
The 2025–26 membership year began October 1—don’t miss a moment of the benefits and community that define PASA.
Renew online | Download our membership renewal packet
New Superintendents’ Academy Series-Phase 1:
Stepping into a New Role as Chief School Administrator?
Attend PASA's New Superintendent's Academy!
Join other new superintendents from across Pennsylvania for PASA’s high-impact, three-part New Superintendents' Academy—designed to prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of your new leadership role.
Through the New Superintendents' Academy, you'll:
- Deepen your understanding of the superintendent’s responsibilities and expectations
- Build a professional network with peers and mentors from across the state
- Gain access to valuable tools, resources, and expert support
- Optional: Upgrade your Academy experience when you sign up for the entire three-part series and select "Mentor Option". This upgrade will pair you with an experienced superintendent as a mentor throughout the program. This upgrade is exclusive to PASA members!
Led by seasoned Pennsylvania superintendents and education experts, each session offers practical strategies, real-world insights, and thoughtful discussion on the most pressing issues you’ll face.
The Academy focuses on three core leadership areas:
- Strategic and Cultural Leadership
- Systems Leadership
- Professional and Community Leadership
This is a unique opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, learn from those who have walked the path before you, and gain a broader perspective on educational leadership throughout the Commonwealth.
Investment:
Complete Series:
$800 for PASA members | $950 for nonmembers
Single two-day Program:
$280 for PASA members | $330 for nonmembers
Enhance your Series Experience: Add Mentorship with an experienced Superintendent (Available exclusively to PASA members)
$2,000 for PASA members (Includes complete series and mentorship.)
Certificates of completion will be issued to all participants who attend all three parts of the Academy.
ACT 45 CREDIT: Each two-day session of the Academy is approved for 25 hours of Act 45 credit, predicated upon program attendance and completion of the embedded activities.
For more information and to register, visit PASA’s website.
Superintendents Academy- Phase 2:
Elevate Your Impact: Enroll in Phase 2 of the PASA's Superintendents Academy
Continue your journey of impactful leadership with PASA’s Superintendents Academy – Phase 2, a dynamic professional learning series designed exclusively for superintendents who have either completed our New Superintendents’ Academy (NSA) or have at least one year of experience in the role.
This advanced, three-part series builds on the core principles of the NSA program, taking your leadership development to the next level.
Sessions include:
- Identifying Effective Systems and Processes for Success
- Integrating Operations into Your District Ecosystem
- Building Relationships for Successful Negotiations​
By adopting a systems perspective, you will gain a deeper understanding of the complex, interrelated components of leading and managing schools, enabling you to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Completed: Part 1: Identifying Effective Systems and Processes for Success
- Completed: Part 2: Integrating Operations into Your District Ecosystem
- April 16-17, 2026: Part 3: Building Relationships for Successful Negotiations​
Note: Although the Superintendents Academy programs are sequential, school leaders are urged to attend them as they are able. Academy programs will be repeated annually.)
Investment:
Complete series: $800 for PASA members | $950 for nonmembers
Single session: $280 for PASA members | $330 for nonmembers
ACT 45 CREDIT: Each two-day session of the Academy is approved for 30 hours of Act 45 credit. Predicated upon program attendance and completion of embedded program activities.
For more information and to register, visit PASA’s website.
Certificates of completion will be issued to all participants who attend all three parts of the Academy.
In Health, Safety, Equity & Learning News...
Play-Based Learning Yields More Joy, Higher Scores At This Elementary School — When the doors to Mansfield Elementary School in northeastern Connecticut officially opened to students in the 2023-24 school year, Principal Kate McCoy had a lot to be excited about. She looked forward to building a new school community for the estimated 550 students coming together from three former area schools that had closed due to aging infrastructures and declining enrollment. And she appreciated how the building’s features—abundant natural light, a patio for outdoor learning, a dedicated LEGO room, and the neighboring Mansfield Hollow State Park, whose 250-plus acres allow for easy access to class hikes and other outdoor activities—would support her primary goal as an elementary school leader: to create a culture of joy for students. Read the rest of the story: “Play-Based Learning Yields More Joy, Higher Scores At This Elementary School” (EducationWeek, 12-29-25)
Cancellation Of Mental Health Grants Rules Unlawful— A federal judge on recently ordered the permanent reinstatement of U.S. Department of Education mental health grants in 16 states, ruling that the April cancellation of the school-based and professional development funding was unlawful. The order came a week after the Education Department awarded $208 million in new mental health grants under revised priorities set by the Trump administration that prohibit recipients from “promoting or endorsing gender ideology, political activism, racial stereotyping, or hostile environments for students of particular races.” Read the rest of the story: “Cancellation Of Mental Health Grants Rules Unlawful” (K-12 Dive, 12-22-25)
Congress Passes Bill Allowing Schools To Offer Whole Milk, Nondairy Options— The House recently passed a bipartisan bill allowing schools to offer students whole milk and nondairy beverage options in school meal programs, sending it to President Donald Trump for signature. The Senate passed the legislation in November. Districts are currently permitted to only serve fat-free and low-fat milks in school meals due to concerns that milk consumption contributes to high cholesterol and obesity in young people, according to a fact sheet from the House Education and Workforce Committee. Read the rest of the story: “Congress Passes Bill Allowing Schools To Offer Whole Milk, Nondairy Options” (K-12 Dive, 12-17-25)
In State News…
PA Adopts Science-Of-Reading Reforms After Years Of Reading Struggles — A few years ago, educators at the Canon-McMillan School District saw an alarming trend: 14% of fourth graders were not reading at grade level as they headed into intermediate school. In response, the district overhauled its reading curriculum, trained teachers and staff on best ways to teach kids to read and began screening the youngest learners multiple times a year. The results were significant; last year, just 4% of fourth graders were not reading at grade level. Read the rest of the story: “PA Adopts Science-Of-Reading Reforms After Years Of Reading Struggles” (from, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/14/25)
A Look Back At The Year In K-12 Education In Pennsylvania — Well, it could have been worse.
For education in Pennsylvania, 2025 was a mixed bag, marked by one sort-of-victory, a promising trend, and a whole lot of awful things that could have happened, but didn’t. After years and years of fruitless complaints about the huge costs to local taxpayers, the legislature finally addressed Pennsylvania’s dysfunctional cyber charter spending. Read the rest of the story: “A Look Back At The Year In K-12 Education In Pennsylvania” (from, Bucks County Beacon, 12/10/25)
PA’s Largest Cyber School Is Spending $700 Million On A Network Of Buildings — Earlier this year Pa.’s auditor general questioned Commonwealth Charter Academy’s spending on buildings for a cyber school, which at the time was thought to be $250 million. But Tim DeFoor’s report only covered a three year period. An analysis of ten years by PennLive shows the amount to be much higher: $700 million. Read the rest of the story: “PA’s Largest Cyber School Is Spending $700 Million On A Network Of Buildings” (from, Pennlive, 12/31/25)
National and International News…
Appeals Court Halts Ruling Letting Teachers Disclose Students’ Gender Identity —A federal appeals court has temporarily paused enforcement of a San Diego federal judge’s ruling that had cleared the way for school staff to tell parents about possible changes to their child’s gender presentation without the student’s consent. Read the rest of the story: “Appeals Court Halts Ruling Letting Teachers Disclose Students’ Gender Identity” (EducationWeek, 1-2-26)
Are Students ‘Quiet Quitting’? What The Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12— American teenagers, on average, are spending less time on homework than they did a generation ago—and the decline has steepened since the pandemic. The homework slide, happening since at least the early ‘90s, accelerated between 2021 and 2023, according to Monitoring the Future, an ongoing national research project that tracks behaviors of teens and others. Read the rest of the story: “Are Students ‘Quiet Quitting’? What The Workplace Trend Can Teach Us About K-12” (EducationWeek, 12-17-25)
Tracking the Supreme Court’s Impact On K-12 Schools — In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on key issues in K-12 education, ruling in cases concerning everything from E-rate to curriculum and free speech. Some decisions have set or overturned precedent, while others were more narrowly decided but continue to influence district policies. We’ve compiled Supreme Court cases directly related to K-12 education since the 2019-20 term to track the high court’s influence on a rapidly shifting education policy landscape. Read the rest of the story: “Tracking The Supreme Court’s Impact On K-12 Schools” (K-12 Dive, 1-5-26)
10 Useful Tech Tools For Educators In 2026: A Practical Guide — As a tech explorer and author of the Wonder Tools newsletter, I’ve tested more than 200 Ed Tech services this year in search of the 10 most useful teaching tools. The massive number of apps and sites clamoring for teachers’ collective attention can be exhausting. So this guide is intended to help you gauge what’s actually worth your time.
Each of these top 10 tools is valuable whether you’re working with little kids, grad students, or learners in between. These services are all free to try, with paid upgrades available. I teach college and grad students, have two elementary school kids of my own and have worked with teachers at all levels for more than two decades. So you’ll find here tools designed to enhance teaching at all levels. Read the rest of the story: “10 Useful Tech Tools For Educators In 2026: A Practical Guide” (The74, 12-30-25)
Food Insecurity Is Surging Among Child Care Providers — Hunger is on the rise for the early care and education workforce, according to recent research from the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, and signs suggest the challenge is unlikely to improve in the short term. In June, 58% of early care and education providers surveyed by the RAPID Survey Project at Stanford said they were experiencing hunger, which researchers measured using six questions about food insecurity developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These providers, who span a variety of roles and settings, are not just dealing with sticker shock at the grocery store; they are skipping meals, eating smaller portions to stretch food supplies further, and going hungry because they’ve run out of money to purchase food. Read the rest of the story: “Food Insecurity Is Surging Among Child Care Providers” (The74, 12-22-25)
Upcoming Legislative Schedule – (Subject to change) –
House of Representatives:
Next Session: January 6
House Scheduled Session Days:
January: 6 (NV), 26, 27, 28
February: 2, 3, 4
March: 23, 24, 25
April: 13, 14, 15, 27, 28, 29
May: 4, 5, 6
June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
September: 28, 29, 30
October 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, 21
November 9, 10
Senate:
Next session: January 6
Senate Scheduled Session Days:
January 6, 26, 27, 28
February: 2, 3, 4
March: 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
April: 20, 21, 22
May: 4, 5, 6
June: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30
On the PASA Calendar…
January 15-16, 2026: New Superintendents’ Academy- Phase 1, Part 3: “Professional and Community Leadership”
January 22-23, 2026: Joint Board of Governors Dinner/Board of Governors Meeting
February 4, 2026: Aspiring to Leadership (Virtual Webinar)
March 18-20, 2026: PASA Leadership Forum (The Penn Stater, State College)
April 16-17, 2026: Superintendents Academy -Phase 2, Part 3: “Building Relationships for Successful Negotiations”