Education (Teachers)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HB 1401: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for educator preparation admission.

House Bill 1401 amends the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing new admission requirements for educator preparation programs. It mandates that applicants for initial preparation programs leading to a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 48 college credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants for alternative programs must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, and advanced program applicants need a 2.8 GPA along with professional recommendations. Preparing institutions may admit up to 10% of initial preparation applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, provided other eligibility criteria are met. These provisions directly affect individuals aspiring to become teachers and the institutions that train them.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSets minimum academic standards (48 credits, 2.8 GPA) for teacher preparation programs, strengthening educator quality and aligning with supporting educators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 220: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and making an editorial change.

SB 220 amends Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules under the Public School Code by establishing specific grade spans and age ranges for instructional certificates. It creates five defined certificate types: Early Childhood (pre-K-grade 4/ages 3-9), Elementary (K-grade 6/ages 4-11), Middle (grades 6-9/ages 11-15), Secondary (grades 7-12/ages 11-21), and Specialized (pre-K-grade 12/ages 3-21). These changes apply to new certificates issued after December 31, 2025, while existing certificates remain valid. Teachers with current Elementary/Middle certificates may expand their scope through continuing education or PRAXIS assessments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies teacher certification standards with defined grade spans, strengthening educator qualifications under Pennsylvania's Public School Code to improve instructional consistency and teacher effectiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 778: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in professional employees, providing for Pre-K Teacher Salary Supplement Pilot Program.

HB 778 establishes a three-year pilot program to increase pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) teacher salaries in Pennsylvania to match those of elementary school teachers with similar qualifications. It directly affects Pre-K teachers working in programs located in high-poverty areas (school districts with ≥20% poverty or census tracts at ≤80% of the statewide median poverty level). The program requires the Department of Education to calculate salary gaps using a specific formula, provide subsidies to eligible Pre-K programs to close those gaps, and collect data for a legislative report. The bill mandates strict use of funds solely for teacher salary increases and includes requirements for reporting program outcomes to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for Pre-K teacher salary supplements in high-poverty districts, directly increasing public education funding through mandated subsidies.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases Pre-K teacher salaries in high-poverty areas via subsidy program, directly supporting educators and improving educational access in underserved communities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly increases Pre-K teacher compensation in high-poverty areas by requiring salary matching with elementary teachers, advancing wage standards for educators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 1536: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility.

HB 1536 modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new certification flexibility for career and technical education (CTE) administrators. It allows educators with a superintendent's letter of eligibility to become CTE directors if they have at least three years of relevant experience in CTE schools or districts and complete approved graduate-level training in CTE administration. The bill specifically prohibits the Department of Education from requiring a minimum time or percentage of duties dedicated to CTE supervision. This directly affects school districts seeking to hire CTE directors who may not hold traditional administrative certifications, streamlining their path to leadership roles in CTE programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates certification flexibility for CTE administrators, enabling qualified educators to lead programs without unnecessary barriers, strengthening CTE program access and quality in K-12 education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 780: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Program and the Early Childhood Educator Tuition Assistance Fund.

HB 780 creates a tuition assistance program for early childhood educators in Pennsylvania. It provides grants to cover tuition costs (minus other financial aid) for individuals pursuing associate degrees or certifications in early childhood education, targeting those earning under 400% of the federal poverty level, enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester, and working 25+ hours weekly in approved early childhood programs. Recipients must agree to work in Pennsylvania early childhood education for two years after completing their program. Funding comes from a new state fund, with annual reports tracking enrollment, retention, wages, and job demand. The program aims to support workforce development in early childhood education through financial assistance tied to service commitments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition grants for early childhood educators to pursue degrees/certifications, targeting low-income workers in approved programs, directly supporting educator development and workforce access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tuition grants to early childhood educators, enhancing workforce development and career advancement opportunities within labor sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Teachers Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 792: 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.

HB 792 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the State Board of Education to collect data on how schools teach Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. Starting after the 2025-2026 school year, the State Board must annually request schools to report on whether they offer such instruction, the curriculum used, teacher training participation, and details like grade levels and instructional hours. Every five years, the State Board must issue a report to the Governor, Education Secretary, and legislative education committee chairs, including statistics on school participation and recommendations for improvement. The bill does not mandate specific curriculum content but establishes a reporting system to track existing educational practices.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates curriculum requirements for Holocaust/genocide education and annual data collection, advancing educational content standards in K-12 schools.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 1351: 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, prohibiting the integration of culturally relevant and sustaining education into education preparation, induction and continuing professional development programs; and abrogating regulations.

HB 1351 prohibits Pennsylvania public school teacher preparation, induction, and professional development programs from incorporating culturally relevant and sustaining education - teaching methods that reflect students' backgrounds and experiences. The bill directly affects educators and school staff who participate in these training programs. It achieves this by amending the Public School Code to ban such education and repealing related regulations (22 Pa. Code §§ 49.1, 49.13-49.17) that previously addressed the topic. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly prohibits culturally relevant education in teacher training, restricting curriculum content and academic freedom in education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2025

HB 1632: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.

HB 1632 requires Pennsylvania teachers to complete a new human trafficking awareness training as part of their continuing education requirements starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The training, developed by the Department of Education with input from the Attorney General's office and human trafficking organizations, covers federal/state laws, victim identification methods, risk factors, and reporting resources like the state hotline. It must be at least one hour long, available online, and counts toward teachers' existing professional development credits. The bill directly affects all professional educators in Pennsylvania who need continuing education under current certification rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates human trafficking awareness training for teachers to improve victim identification and reporting, aiding law enforcement in criminal justice efforts.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates teacher training on human trafficking awareness, enhancing educator preparedness to protect students and aligns with supporting teachers' professional development in K-12 safety protocols.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SR 68: A Resolution urging the Congress of the United States to fully cooperate with Federal efforts to eliminate the United States Department of Education, reaffirming Pennsylvania's sovereign authority over its educational system and recognizing the need for State-led education solutions to improve outcomes for Pennsylvania students.

This resolution (SR 68) urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with federal efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. It states Pennsylvania seeks to exercise its state authority over education, arguing federal mandates limit the state's ability to address local needs like teacher shortages and student outcomes. The resolution cites Pennsylvania's constitutional duty to provide public education and claims federal education funding (e.g., $15 billion in Title I) could be redirected to state priorities if the Department of Education is dismantled. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change federal law but expresses Pennsylvania's position on education policy.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill explicitly seeks to eliminate U.S. Department of Education, opposing federal education oversight and advocating state control over funding/mandates.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 14, 2025

HB 1732: An Act amending the act of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the Private Academic Schools Act, further providing for application for license, for issuance and renewal of license and for promulgation of rules and regulations.

HB 1732 amends Pennsylvania's Private Academic Schools Act to streamline licensing for private schools. It allows schools to submit applications before securing a physical facility (with a site plan and timeline) and to include staffing projections for qualified staff. The bill creates a new six-month conditional license option for schools meeting most requirements but needing to finalize staffing or facility details. It also requires the State Board of Private Academic Schools to establish new rules for teacher qualifications within 180 days, which must be in place before new or renewed licenses are issued. This directly affects private academic schools seeking or renewing licenses in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationStreamlines licensing for private schools, reducing operational barriers and expanding educational access options within K-12 framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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