Education (School Choice)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 18, 2026

HB 2424: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

This Pennsylvania bill amends the Public School Code to clarify special education evaluation procedures for students enrolled in charter schools. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the local school district of residence will conduct initial disability evaluations for these students rather than the charter school. The district or an intermediate unit must issue a report on eligibility and service recommendations to parents and the charter school entity. While intermediate units can charge fees for these evaluations, charter schools remain responsible for providing the special education services outlined in the report.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies special education evaluation procedures for charter school students, ensuring they receive proper assessments and services, thereby protecting educational access and compliance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2293: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for enrollment.

This bill removes enrollment caps for charter schools and cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania, allowing them to accept as many students as they choose without limits set by school boards or other governing authorities. The law also declares any existing enrollment limits currently in place as invalid. Once signed into effect, the changes will take place 60 days later.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes enrollment caps for charter schools, expanding educational access and allowing more students to attend charter schools without restrictions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2325: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for educator expenses tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania educators who purchase instructional materials or supplies for classroom use. Professional employees in public, charter, cyber, and nonpublic schools can claim a credit equal to the amount they spent on qualifying expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per year. The Department of Revenue will establish rules to determine which expenses qualify and must publish guidelines online while submitting annual reports on program usage. The credit applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and cannot be carried forward, carried back, sold, or assigned.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for educators purchasing instructional materials, providing tax relief and supporting public education funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credit for educators purchasing instructional materials, directly supporting teachers and enhancing educational resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Curriculum School Choice Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 9, 2025

HB 2095: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for mandate waiver program.

HB 2095 creates a program allowing Pennsylvania school districts to request waivers from specific requirements of the Public School Code, regulations, or standards. School districts must adopt a board resolution to apply, or intermediate units can apply for multiple districts if all member districts approve. The Department of Education must review applications within 60 days (automatic approval if no decision is made), and districts must submit evaluations after five years to renew waivers showing improved student performance or operations. Certain provisions, such as those related to student safety and assessments, are explicitly exempt from waiver requests.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates waiver program reducing regulatory burden for school districts, enhancing flexibility in Public School Code compliance without restricting educational access or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 6, 2025

HB 1500: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council and further providing for advertising and sponsorships; in pupils and attendance, further providing for exceptional children and education and training; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for cyber charter school fund balance accountability, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification, for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations and providing for cyber charter school moratorium; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for extraordinary special education program expenses.

HB 1500 establishes a Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council to develop recommendations on funding, governance, and accountability for cyber charter schools by April 2026. The bill requires public school entities to report advertising and sponsorship spending annually, and mandates detailed cost-tracking for special education services based on individualized student plans. It also adds provisions for student wellness checks, enrollment notifications, and fund balance limits for cyber charter schools, while maintaining a moratorium on new cyber charter school approvals. The law directly affects cyber charter schools, public school districts, and students with disabilities in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates fund balance limits, cost-tracking for special education, and establishes a funding council for cyber charters, promoting fiscal accountability in state budget allocation for education.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes cyber charter school funding framework, policy council, and accountability measures, advancing alternative school funding models and special education cost-tracking.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 969: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Educational Freedom for Families Program and the Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Education and the State Treasurer.

SB 969 establishes Pennsylvania's "Educational Freedom for Families Program," providing state-funded education savings accounts for eligible students in the state's lowest-performing schools. The bill directly affects families with children in public schools ranked in the bottom 15% academically, allowing them to use funds for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschooling materials, or online programs. Key mechanisms include annual state appropriations matching per-pupil funding, portable accounts that follow students regardless of school choice, and strict oversight to prevent misuse. Additionally, the bill creates a "Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund" using reclaimed funds to award performance-based bonuses to educators based on measurable improvements in student test scores and graduation rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations for education savings accounts, increasing public funding for education programs through new budgetary commitments.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state-funded education savings accounts for students in lowest-performing schools, expanding access to private school tuition, tutoring, and online programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 354: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools, for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

SB 354 changes how Pennsylvania charter schools receive state funding for special education students, effective the 2025-2026 school year. It replaces a previous formula with a new system that provides additional funding based on three cost categories: Category 1 (1.51x base funding), Category 2 (3.77x), and Category 3 (7.46x), determined by the actual cost of services documented by the charter school. Charter schools must submit cost documentation to the state and school districts, and must return overpayments if costs are lower than received. This directly affects charter schools serving special education students and the school districts that fund them. The bill also clarifies which state education laws apply to charter schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state funding for charter school special education through cost-based multipliers (1.51x-7.46x), advancing public education budget allocation without defunding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases special education funding for charter schools via new cost-based formula (1.51x-7.46x), advancing support for student needs in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1209: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, providing for State certification for cyber charter school professional staff members.

HB 1209 requires cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to ensure all professional staff members hold state certification, including special education certification for those providing special education services. This amendment to the Public School Code directly affects cyber charter school employees and their employers by establishing standardized qualification requirements. The new rule takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, aligning cyber charter school staffing standards with those of traditional public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state certification for cyber charter school staff, ensuring qualified educators and aligning with public school standards to strengthen educational quality and consistency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 28: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Black history education.

SB 28 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the state Department of Education to develop and share age-appropriate resources for integrating Black history into school curricula. It directs the department to create these materials within three months of the law's effective date and post them online for all schools to use. The bill applies to every public school district, charter school, private school, and other school entities in Pennsylvania, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes - only that schools can access the state-provided resources. Schools may also use other approved materials to teach the history of the Black experience as part of required or elective courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of Black history curriculum resources, expanding educational content and promoting inclusive education in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1354: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for school athletics, publications, and organizations.

HB 1354 requires Pennsylvania public school districts to allow private school students who reside in the district to participate in after-school sports, clubs, and other extracurricular activities if their private school does not offer the same activity and they meet all participation requirements. The law directly affects private school students seeking access to public school programs and public school districts managing extracurricular offerings. It mandates inclusion only when the private school does not provide equivalent opportunities, without changing funding or administrative requirements. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by mandating public school inclusion for private students in extracurriculars when private options are unavailable, directly advancing access to school programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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