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
HARRISBURG, May 22 – The PA House Education Committee, chaired by state Rep. Peter Schweyer, today advanced legislation to support the men and women who selflessly serve our country and defend our freedom. “Our brave military heroes put their lives on the line every day and not only deserve our thanks and respect, but also the opportunities for their families to further their education and plan for their future,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “With these measures, we can make education more affordable and help dependents of our military families continue their college education here in Pennsylvania.” According to Schweyer, the House Education Committee approved the following bills at today’s meeting: HB 804 – would guarantee in-state tuition for reassigned military families HB 1094 – would advance enrollment for military families HB 1097 – would allow schools to hold a moment of silence in observance of 9/11 “The House Education Committee is committed to improving educational opportunities for all Pennsylvanians and efforts to deliver better schools for every student,” added Schweyer. All three bills will now be brought to the full House for consideration. Read more
The men and women who put themselves into harm’s way to defend our freedom deserve our thanks and our respect – but we are certainly not stopping there. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 2 – The state House this week passed three bills which address both teacher shortages and a new tutoring program for students, and they now head to the Senate for consideration, according to state Rep. Peter Schweyer. “Pennsylvania has been facing a serious teacher shortage problem for many years now as high-caliber teachers are leaving early and districts have been struggling to recruit and retain the same quality teachers,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “I am pleased to see these measures move to the Senate as we are now one step closer in helping to improve the quality of education for our children.” The House passed the following three bills during this week’s session: HB 100 – from state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton: Would amend the Public-School Code to require the State Board of Education to establish a tutoring program for students in grades eleven and twelve to tutor students in lower grades. HB 141 – from state Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh: Would establish the Grow Our Own Educators Program. HB 688 – from state Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks: Would amend the Public-School Code to establish the PA Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program. “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,” said Schweyer. Schweyer, who Read more
HARRISBURG, April 26 – Following through on his commitment to putting students and educators first, the PA House Education Committee chaired by state Rep. Peter Schweyer, this week advanced legislation to address shortages and student protections. “Every Pennsylvania student is entitled to a quality education and unfortunately Pennsylvania faces an education crisis with teachers leaving the profession early and teaching becoming a profession many higher-education students do not want to study,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “These measures would help school districts recruit and maintain the high-caliber teachers that are needed and also help students to achieve the best possible pathway to success.” According to Schweyer, the House Education Committee approved the following bills at this week’s meetings: HB 100 – Would amend the Public-School Code to require the State Board of Education to establish a tutoring program for students in grades eleven and twelve. HB 141 – Would establish the Grow Our Own Educators Program. HB 688 – Would amend the Public-School Code to establish the PA Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program. Schweyer added, earlier this month the House Education Committee advanced four other bills which provide protections for students and improve the quality of their education. HB 148 – Would create an Eating Disorders Taskforce within the PA Department of Education. HB 301 – Would Read more
At the end of the day, our education system is our people. It is our students, our teachers, our staff, our school board members — and they are not broken. The way that we in the General Assembly choose to fund them, or not, is broken. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer today announced that he has been appointed to serve as the majority chairman of the Pennsylvania House Education Committee. “It is truly an honor to be appointed by Speaker McClinton to serve as chairman of the Education Committee,” said Schweyer, D-Lehigh. “Educating our children is one of the most important priorities of any legislator and as the parent of two children attending the Allentown School District, I have seen and experienced overcrowded classrooms, outdated and worn out buildings and the massive inequities between wealthy and low-income school districts. I am looking forward to working in a bipartisan manner to craft meaningful and beneficial legislation that gives every Pennsylvania student the chance to learn and succeed.” The Education Committee reviews bills that address educational funding for 500 school districts, community college and higher education institutions, school choice and charter schools, teacher standards and more. In addition, the committee reviews legislation that would impact the Department of Education, numerous boards, including the State Board of Education, State Public School Building Authority and Public School Employees Retirement System, as well as the Pennsylvania Higher Education Association and the Board of Governors of the State System of Higher Education. Schweyer represents the newly drawn 134th Legislative District which serves portions of Read more
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