Pa. lawmakers move ahead on stipends to ease financial burdens for student teachers

(Jun 13, 2023)

The House Education Committee headed by Rep. Schweyer voted 20-1 to send the full chamber a bill providing up to $15,000 as a stipend for student teachers and $2,500 for teachers who serve as mentors to aspiring educators. Read more

 

Chairmen of Pa. House Education Committee join This Week in Pennsylvania

(Jun 11, 2023)

The two chairmen of the House Education Committee, Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) and Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) share their thoughts on the budget process. Read more

 

House Education Committee advances bill to remove educator certification barriers for Pennsylvania immigrants

(Jun 06, 2023)

HARRISBURG, June 6 – Legislation which would eliminate barriers to educator certification for immigrants in Pennsylvania advanced in the PA House Education Committee, Majority Chairman Peter Schweyer announced today. “Pennsylvania is facing an immense teacher shortage crisis and school districts across the commonwealth need every tool possible to find and retain qualified educators to teach our students,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “Right now, immigrants in Pennsylvania who have the visas to work in the United States cannot apply for educator certification. This bill would allow prospective teachers with valid immigrant visas, work visas or employment authorization to apply for certification.” According to Schweyer, under House Bill 1067 , the Public School Code would be amended so department certified or permitted teachers who hold a valid immigrant visa, work visa, or valid employment authorization document which allows them to work in the United States would be eligible to apply for educator certification to teach in public schools in Pennsylvania. State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, the bill’s prime sponsor, said her legislation would create new avenues of opportunity for qualified and trained immigrants. “Pennsylvania’s lack of teachers is worsening, but qualified immigrants can help with this teaching crisis,” said Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Berks. “Employers are struggling to fill vacancies; we need to Read more

 

‘There's always more that we can do’: How a statewide study on wildlife corridors could impact the Lehigh Valley

(Jun 05, 2023)

“We've done a pretty good job of supporting conservation here on the local level,” state Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, said. “We've done a lot, but there's always more that we can do.” Read more

 

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach June 23

(Jun 02, 2023)

ALLENTOWN, June 2 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans that in observation of the Juneteenth holiday, on Friday, June 16, his monthly support program will be held the following Friday, June 23 at his district office in Allentown. A representative from the American Legion will be available for appointments at Schweyer’s district office, 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The service officer will be available to assist veterans and their families with benefits and services available to them. The representative also will be available to discuss pensions and other compensation, as well as education, health care and death benefits. Legion membership is not required; however, anyone interested in speaking with the adviser should schedule appointments by contacting Schweyer’s office at 610-791-6270. Read more

 

Miss my latest Telephone Town Hall? Check out the discussion here!

(Jun 02, 2023)

Listen to what our friends & neighbors had to say about the issues that matter in the Lehigh Valley. Read more

 

ASD students highlight afterschool program for visiting state lawmakers

(Jun 01, 2023)

Attendees included Afterschool Caucus member Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh, and House Education Chairman Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh. Read more

 

'I just need $5 million': Local schools superintendent, after Gov. Shapiro offers few details on budget talks for schools

(May 27, 2023)

“The governor knows where we stand on it,” Rep. Schweyer said. “My leadership knows where we stand on it. We've all been extremely vocal on it. I think there's a very strong likelihood that Level Up will be included in the final budget proposal.” Read more

 

Schweyer Applauds Humane Society Awardees

(May 26, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Pete Schweyer congratulates the Lehigh Valley Humane Society and his colleague, Rep. Jeanne McNeill for their work to end animal cruelty in the Commonwealth and beyond. Read more

 

Schweyer to hold tele town hall next week

(May 25, 2023)

ALLENTOWN, May 25 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer will be hosting a telephone town hall meeting with constituents of the 134th Legislative District at 7 p.m. next Thursday, June 1. “As both a legislator and advocate for residents, it is absolutely vital I hear from my neighbors all of their concerns and issues within the district and in state government,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I strongly encourage everyone to participate because in addition to directly connecting with your state representative, I’ll also provide updates on what’s happening in Harrisburg and how it impacts our community.” Residents of the district will automatically receive a call at the start of the meeting. Those who wish to participate or just listen in can simply stay on the line. The meeting will consist of a live legislative update touching on the major issues impacting the district and Harrisburg, as well as a question-and-answer period. Questions may be directed to Schweyer’s office by calling 610-791-6270 or emailing RepSchweyer@pahouse.net . Read more

 

House Education Committee advances bills to help military families take next steps and plan their future

(May 22, 2023)

With these measures, we can make education more affordable and help dependents of our military families continue their college education here in Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Grant to help enhance Lehigh Valley boxing program

(May 16, 2023)

“Every parent knows the value of structured, after-school activities in providing our kids with an opportunity to grow as people. P4P Boxing provides another important opportunity to our kids to interact with adults who will provide mentorship and teach life skills like discipline and teamwork, all while learning a great sport,” Schweyer said. Read more

 

On The Table: Better Know a District with Rep. Peter Schweyer

(May 15, 2023)

Rep. Miller talks with Rep. Schweyer about his district, his plans as majority chair of the Education Committee, and his legislative priorities for the year ahead. Read more

 

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach May 19

(May 10, 2023)

ALLENTOWN, May 10 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, is alerting local veterans his monthly support program will be held on Friday, May 19 at his district office in Allentown. A representative from the American Legion will be available for appointments at Schweyer’s district office, 1501 Lehigh St., Suite 206. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A service officer will be available to assist veterans and their families with benefits and services available to them. The representative also will be available to discuss pensions and other compensation, as well as education, health care and death benefits. Legion membership is not required; however, anyone interested in speaking with the adviser should schedule appointments by contacting Schweyer’s office at 610-791-6270. Read more

 

Cyber Charter School reform hearing held

(May 10, 2023)

Peter Schweyer, the chair for the House Majority Education Committee says, “So the hope is and the goal is to create a series of new laws that will provide significant financial oversight, significant tuition constraint, and a whole host of other policies that will help make sure that our cyber charters are doing right by our kids and doing right by our taxpayers.” Read more

 

Schweyer: Helping our heroes take the next step

(May 10, 2023)

House Democrats want to make sure we do our small part to repay the sacrifice of our servicemembers and their families. We can start by doing everything we can to make it easier for families of our men and women in uniform to afford the education they need for a better future. Read more

 

Advocates Rally for School Choice as Lawmakers Seek Update to Pa Charter Law

(May 09, 2023)

Rep. Schweyer says the rapid growth of charter institutions has outpaced their original intention in Pennsylvania's 30-year-old old charter law. Read more

 

Schweyer, Education Committee Advance Important Bills

(May 04, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Peter Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, highlights three important bills that passed the House this week regarding the Pa. Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program, a tutoring program for K-12 students, and the Grow Our Own Educators program. Schweyer says these bills would help address teacher and paraprofessional shortages across the Commonwealth. Read more

 

Schweyer Excited to Begin Work on Basic Education Funding Commission

(May 04, 2023)

Pa. state Rep. Pete Schweyer, Chair of the House Education Committee, discusses his appointment to the Basic Education Funding Commission and the important work ahead to ensure all students in Pennsylvania receive a quality education. Read more

 

Schweyer: House delivers bills to get – and keep – more teachers on the job

(May 02, 2023)

There are many facets to Pennsylvania’s education crisis and it will require many bills to address them all and bring meaningful solutions for every student and teacher in the commonwealth. Read more

 

Pa. lawmakers move ahead on stipends to ease financial burdens for student teachers
Jun 13, 2023

Chairmen of Pa. House Education Committee join This Week in Pennsylvania
Jun 11, 2023

House Education Committee advances bill to remove educator certification barriers for Pennsylvania immigrants
Jun 06, 2023

‘There's always more that we can do’: How a statewide study on wildlife corridors could impact the Lehigh Valley
Jun 05, 2023

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach June 23
Jun 02, 2023

Miss my latest Telephone Town Hall? Check out the discussion here!
Jun 02, 2023

ASD students highlight afterschool program for visiting state lawmakers
Jun 01, 2023

'I just need $5 million': Local schools superintendent, after Gov. Shapiro offers few details on budget talks for schools
May 27, 2023

Schweyer Applauds Humane Society Awardees
May 26, 2023

Schweyer to hold tele town hall next week
May 25, 2023

House Education Committee advances bills to help military families take next steps and plan their future
May 22, 2023

Grant to help enhance Lehigh Valley boxing program
May 16, 2023

On The Table: Better Know a District with Rep. Peter Schweyer
May 15, 2023

Schweyer’s office to hold monthly veterans outreach May 19
May 10, 2023

Cyber Charter School reform hearing held
May 10, 2023

Schweyer: Helping our heroes take the next step
May 10, 2023

Advocates Rally for School Choice as Lawmakers Seek Update to Pa Charter Law
May 09, 2023

Schweyer, Education Committee Advance Important Bills
May 04, 2023

Schweyer Excited to Begin Work on Basic Education Funding Commission
May 04, 2023

Schweyer: House delivers bills to get – and keep – more teachers on the job
May 02, 2023