Legislative Updates

House Resolution 3469 - Introduced in the House November 17, 2011 - To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to encourage the impemenation or expansion of prekindergarten programs for students 4 years of age or younger.

House Bill 1980 - Referred to Committee on Education - October 31, 2011 - In determining whether a professional employee shall be dismissed for (incompetency or) unsatisfactory teaching performance as provided for in this act, and in rating the services of a temporary professional employee, the professional employee or temporary professional employee shall be rated by an approved rating system which shall give due consideration to personality, preparation, technique, and pupil reaction.

House Bill 1938 - Referred to Committee on Education on October 31, 2011 - No nonpublic school or private school that offers scholarships or tuition assistance to students  enrolled in the nonpublic school or private school may participate in interscholastic athletic playoffs or championships between public schools.

House Bill 1901 - Referred to Committee on Education on October 18, 2011 - Construction, reconstruction, repairs, maintenance or work, including labor and material, that shall exceed ten thousand dollars (10,000), shall be done under separate contracts to be entered into by such school district with the lowest responsible bidder, upon proper terms, after due public notice has been given asking for competitive bids.

House Bill 704 - Referred to Committee on Education - "Actual Special Education Spending" - An amount equal to a school district's total expenditures for special education as established by the Department of Education.  The amount shall not include expenditures that are exclusively for gifted students who do not receive special education pursuant to an individualized education program.

Senate Bill 612 - Reported from Committee on Education - Any board of school directors may suspend the necessary number of professional employees, for any of the causes hereinafter enumerated:  1.  Substantial decrease in pupil enrollment in the school district; 2.  Curtailment or alteration of the educational programs; 3.  Consolidation of schools.

Senate Bill 1294 - Referred to Committee on Education - October 14, 2011 - Distress in School Districts - Within thirty (30) days of a declaration by the Secretary of Education that a school district of the first class is distressed under section 691 (c), a School Reform Commission shall be established.

Senate Bill 813 - Value Added - Expands the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System (PVAAS) to provide data related to student growth at the grade level and the classroom level.  This bill has gone through the Senate Education Committee and is in the Senate Appropriations Committee.  It is still pending. 

Senate Bill 904 - Creation of a statewide commission, independent of the PA. Department of Education (PDE), to be charged with oversight of charter and cyber school functions.

Federal Legislation Update

House Bills

House Resolution 3014 - Referred to the House Committee on Education on September 22, 2011 - Computer Science Education Act of 2011 - To provide grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education to strengthen elementary and secondary computer science education, and for other purposes.

House Resolution 2935 - Introduced September 15, 2011 - Defending Special Education Students and Families Act - To authorize the full funding of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by making certain spending cuts to the Department of Defense.

House Resolution 2218 - Passed September 14, 2011 - Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act.

House Resolution 2874 - Introduced September 13, 2011 - Abstinence Education Reallocation Act of 2011.  To authorioze the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to award grants on a competitive basis to public and private entities to provide qualified sexual risk avoidance education to youth and their parents.

Senate Bills