Education (Curriculum)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1258: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, providing for personalized education program; providing for student freedom accounts; and establishing the Student Freedom Account Program.

HB 1258 creates a new "Personalized Education Program" (PEP) option under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, allowing parents or guardians to educate children outside traditional public schools. It requires parents to submit an annual affidavit to the school district superintendent detailing the program supervisor, child's information, curriculum outline (including required subjects like English and history), immunization records, and background checks for household members. The program must provide at least 180 days or 900 hours of annual instruction for elementary students (990 hours for secondary), with specific subject requirements. PEPs are explicitly excluded from being classified as "nonpublic schools" under the code, and relocation between school districts requires a formal transfer letter process. This directly affects parents, guardians, and program supervisors managing education for children in these alternatives to public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Personalized Education Program (PEP) expanding parental educational choice outside public schools with mandated curriculum standards (English/history), directly advancing educational access options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1054: 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, further providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction.

This bill requires all Pennsylvania public and private (nonpublic) schools to integrate Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations instruction into social studies and language arts courses starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The state education department must create curriculum guidelines within 12 months of the bill's effective date, covering specific topics like the Holocaust's history, global genocides (including Rwanda), and human rights violations such as systemic discrimination and torture. Schools must provide teacher training on these topics, and the state board will track compliance through a study, potentially requiring mandatory instruction if less than 90% of schools currently offer it. This applies to all public school districts, charter schools, cyber charters, intermediate units, and nonpublic schools upon request.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust/genocide/human rights instruction in social studies/language arts curriculum, enhancing educational content on critical historical topics and human rights awareness.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 25, 2025

HB 1040: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for Diversity Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program.

This bill establishes a three-year pilot program (starting 2026-2027) within Pennsylvania public schools to teach students about the political, economic, and social contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. School districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools may apply to participate by submitting proposals to the Department of Education by May 15, 2026. The Department must develop guidelines by March 15, 2026 in consultation with LGBTQ+ organizations and prioritize curricula from groups with at least 50% LGBTQ+ leadership. Participating schools must submit annual reports on implementation, and the Department will contract an independent evaluation to assess the program's effectiveness, with results published online.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes mandatory LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum pilot program, expanding educational content and promoting diversity in K-12 curriculum per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 227: An Act prohibiting public school entities from engaging in certain communications and actions involving prohibited indoctrination; and providing for requirements for public contractors and for enforcement.

HB 227, the "Honesty in Teaching Act," prohibits Pennsylvania public schools (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and their contractors from compelling students to adopt beliefs that suggest any group is inherently superior or inferior based on protected characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It bans communications promoting discrimination or group-based superiority (Section 3(a)), requires teacher training focused on fostering independent thinking over advancing personal beliefs (Section 3(e)), and mandates contracts with contractors include a statement prohibiting "prohibited indoctrination" (Section 4). Complaints about violations can be filed with school boards, with penalties for false claims under Pennsylvania law (Section 5). The bill directly affects public school employees, contractors, and students by restricting specific instructional content while allowing discussion of controversial topics.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits schools from teaching concepts about group superiority based on protected characteristics, restricting curriculum content and academic freedom in K-12 education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 230: 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 parental control relating to instructional materials and books containing sexually explicit content.

SB 230 would require Pennsylvania public and private schools to obtain parental permission before providing students with instructional materials containing sexually explicit content. Schools must develop policies identifying such materials (defined as including visual depictions of specific sexual acts) and implement an opt-in form for parents to approve access. If parents do not approve or submit the form, students must receive alternative non-explicit materials. The bill applies to all Pennsylvania school entities (including charter and cyber schools) and mandates school boards to adopt these policies by August 2025 after public input. The bill is pending in the Education committee.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts curriculum by requiring parental permission for sexually explicit materials, limiting access without consent and mandating alternatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2026

SB 128: 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 online curriculum availability.

SB 128 requires Pennsylvania public schools, charter schools, cyber charters, and other school entities to post online, on their public websites, details about their curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. This includes links to textbooks used, course syllabi, written summaries of courses, and state academic standards for each course. Schools must update this information within 30 business days of any changes to their curriculum materials. The law explicitly states it does not override copyright or intellectual property rights held by curriculum creators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires public posting of curriculum details to enhance transparency and accountability in education, aligning with strengthening oversight without restricting access or funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Libraries

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 663: 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 deaf and hard of hearing education.

Senate Bill 663 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish education on deaf and hard of hearing topics for public school students. By the 2025-2026 school year, the Department of Education, in consultation with health experts, must develop and post a model curriculum and guidelines. This curriculum will cover topics such as types and causes of hearing loss, prevention, assistive devices, and related stigmas. School entities can use this model curriculum or create their own, ensuring it aligns with the state's guidelines and academic standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates model curriculum on deaf/hard of hearing topics to improve educational access, reduce stigma, and enhance K-12 curriculum standards for inclusive education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 5, 2025

HB 1565: 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 instructions in firearm safety.

HB 1565 would amend Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require public schools to include firearm safety instruction as part of their curriculum. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania public school students and educators by mandating this new component in courses of study. The key provision requires schools to develop and implement age-appropriate firearm safety education within existing instructional frameworks. It does not address gun access or ownership but focuses on integrating safety knowledge into school programming. The bill is currently referred to the Education committee for further review.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates firearm safety curriculum addition, expanding educational content within school instruction per bill's explicit requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 15, 2025

HB 1861: 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, further providing for firefighter and emergency service training.

HB 1861 allows Pennsylvania public school districts to offer firefighter and emergency medical services (EMS) training as credit-bearing courses for students aged 16 or older who are active members of a fire company or EMS agency. The bill specifies that courses must cover nationally recognized Firefighter I training or Pennsylvania-approved EMT training, as defined by existing state law. School districts may provide transportation and supervision for off-campus training but are not required to cover course fees or materials. This policy change directly affects high school students in emergency services groups and gives school districts the option to integrate these career-focused courses into their curriculum.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows credit-bearing emergency services training as part of school curriculum, expanding educational program options for students aged 16+92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2025

HB 727: 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, further providing for definitions, for Keystone Exams and graduation requirements and for special provisions applicable to the Keystone Exams, graduation requirements and alternative competency assessment; in district superintendents and assistant district superintendents, further providing for performance review; in professional employees, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, further providing for assisting students experiencing education instability; in E-chievement Program, further providing for definitions; and, in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace the Keystone Exams with the ACT test for high school graduation requirements in algebra I, literature, and biology, effective July 1, 2027. After that date, students must meet proficiency through the ACT or alternative pathways, including completing local coursework, scoring well on Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, or providing evidence of postsecondary readiness. The bill updates definitions to include the ACT test and clarifies how students can demonstrate proficiency without taking the Keystone Exams. It directly affects Pennsylvania high school students and school districts responsible for implementing graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces Keystone Exams with ACT and offers alternative pathways (AP/IB, coursework) for graduation, enhancing flexibility and college readiness in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Testing & Assessment

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