House passes bill to make significant changes to PA’s education funding system

(Jun 10, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 10 – Pennsylvania House Education Committee Majority Chairman, Peter Schweyer, today issued the following statement on the House passage of legislation to significantly improve the school funding system: “Today, my colleagues in the House, in a bipartisan manner, passed a monumental bill that will change the way we fund education in Pennsylvania. A fair and equal education for every Pennsylvania child has been a top priority for me since I first became a legislator, and it has been my most important goal since becoming Chairman of the House Education Committee last year. “I am a very proud parent of two students in the Allentown School District. My oldest daughter attends William Allen High School and my youngest is just wrapping up her 7 th grade year at South Mountain Middle School. I know we have some amazing teachers giving their all to educate our children in ASD, but what I also know is that we are not spending nearly as much money on those students. “Just outside of Allentown is the East Penn School District in Emmaus. That district is doing some incredible work. I had a chance to tour the high school and the students are offered classes on architecture and engineering, with state of the art tools. Nothing in this legislation would take away any of the funding for East Penn students to have these opportunities. What the bill does is ensure that students in districts like Allentown can be Read more

 

House Education Committee advances bill to ensure equitable, quality education for PA children

(Jun 04, 2024)

HARRISBURG, June 4 – The Pennsylvania House Education Committee today approved legislation that would bring adequacy, equity and stability to Pennsylvania’s education funding system. “Today, we cleared the first major hurdle to restructure how we fund our public schools and ensure very child in the commonwealth has a quality education,” said House Education Committee Majority Chairman Peter Schweyer. “The Pennsylvania Constitution makes it crystal clear about providing a thorough and efficient public education. With this bill, every kid who works hard would have the tools they need to succeed.” State Rep. Mike Sturla, who served as Co-Chair of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC), sponsored the legislation . “I thank the House Education Committee for reporting out my legislation today that would implement certain recommendations of the BEFC’s Majority Report,” said Sturla (D-Lancaster). “This bill would set us on the right path to meet our constitutional duty of providing an adequate and equitable public education system in Pennsylvania.” Sturla added, his legislation would provide the following: 2024/25 Increases: $728 million for chronically underfunded schools. $665 million in cyber charter savings. $200 million so every school district receives an increase. $136 million in property tax relief. 7-Year Totals: $5.1 billion for chronically underfunded Read more

 

Schweyer statement on passing of former House Education Committee Chairman Rep. James Roebuck

(May 16, 2024)

ALLENTOWN, May 16 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, Majority Chair of the Pennsylvania House Education Committee, issued the following statement on the passing of former Chair James Roebuck. “For thirty-five years Jim Roebuck distinguished himself in service to the people of West Philadelphia and the children of the entire commonwealth. I was lucky enough to see his example on how to lead the Education Committee and be a fierce advocate who still could compromise and negotiate to make sure the ultimate goal was achieved: better schools for every kid. “My colleagues and I will honor Chairman Roebuck in the best way we can: by living up to his exceptional standards fighting for every kid, and I ask every Pennsylvanian to join us in keeping his loved ones and friends in your prayers.” Read more

 

Public Hearing on Teacher Certification/Teacher Pipeline Initiatives

(May 03, 2024)

Teacher Certification and Pipeline Read more

 

Public Hearing on HBCU Financial Support & Resources

(May 02, 2024)

HBCU Resources Read more

 

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Imagination Libraries & Student Journalism Protection Testimony

(Apr 29, 2024)

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Imagination Libraries & Student Journalism Protection Testimony Read more

 

Shapiro Administration Announces $1.5 Million in Grants to Grow Special Education Teacher Workforce

(Apr 19, 2024)

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) today announced that $1.5 million in grant funding is available to help schools create learning opportunities that will bolster the Commonwealth’s next generation of special educators. Read more

 

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Mental Health, Day 2 Testimony

(Jan 18, 2024)

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Mental Health, Day 2 Testimony Read more

 

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Mental Health, Day 1 Testimony

(Jan 17, 2024)

Education Committee Informational Meeting on Mental Health, Day 1 Testimony Read more

 

Student Assessments & Early Literacy Testimony

(Nov 13, 2023)

Student Assessments & Early Literacy Testimony Read more

 

School Transportation & Bus Driver Shortage Testimony

(Oct 30, 2023)

School Transportation & Bus Driver Shortage Testimony Read more

 

Dual Enrollment & College Affordability Informational Meeting Testimony

(Oct 19, 2023)

Dual Enrollment & College Affordability Informational Meeting Testimony Read more

 

Dental Screenings for Students Informational Meeting Testimony

(Oct 17, 2023)

Dental Screenings for Students Informational Meeting Testimony Read more

 

Level Up Hearing Testimony

(Aug 10, 2023)

Level Up Hearing Testimony Read more

 

Teacher Shortages Hearing Testimony

(Apr 12, 2023)

Teacher Shortages Hearing Testimony Read more

 

Childhood Nutrition Hearing Testimony

(Mar 30, 2023)

Childhood Nutrition Hearing Testimony Read more