Education

Senate Approves Safe Schools Package
The Senate approved a legislative package sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) that would make significant changes to Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Law by ensuring those with criminal records are banned from employment in the Commonwealth's schools and improving the reporting requirements between school districts and local law enforcement.
Senate Bill 55 would establish a lifetime ban on working in schools for those who have been convicted of serious violent offenses, including sexual violence and crimes against children.  It also prohibits anyone convicted of any other felony crime from working in a school setting for at least 10 years.
Senate Bill 56 requires the Education Department to create an Office for Safe Schools within the agency and be charged with overseeing its work, rather than outsourcing that function as is currently done.  It also requires school entities to submit their violence reports to their local police department to verify the school's report.  An Auditor General's report found the department was not verifying the violence statistics it received from schools and that it was failing to monitor school violence.
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Legislation Protecting Tax-Exempt Status of Charter Schools Approved
Legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) to protect the tax-exempt status of charter schools was approved by the Senate, 49 to 0.
Senator Pileggi noted that charter schools are public schools and should be treated as such. In most of Pennsylvania, there is no confusion on this point. Unfortunately, some local charter schools have received real estate tax bills and were forced to go to court to fight this inequity.
Senate Bill 687 explicitly states that all school property owned by a charter school or an associated non-profit foundation, or leased to a charter school at or below fair market value, which is used for public school purposes is exempt from taxation.
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Senate Acts to Simplify Financial Reporting Requirements for Schools
The Senate approved legislation to simplify annual financial reporting requirements to prevent duplication with the annual audit filed by local education agencies.
Under current law, all financial accounting and reporting of school districts and intermediate units must be in accordance with generally accepted accounting and reporting standards.
Under Senate Bill 287, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), the annual financial reports filed by school districts and intermediate units would be exempt from this requirement and the Department of Education would be required to establish a separate reporting standard for these reports. The standard would have to conform to fund level reporting criteria only.

Committee Approves Education Improvement Tax Credit Expansion
The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), approved Senate Bill 899, legislation he has authored that would make long-overdue changes to Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) by expanding income limits and allowances to benefit more families—without placing an additional financial burden on the Commonwealth.
EITC has been providing scholarships to children throughout Pennsylvania to attend the schools of their choice since 2001.  The program allows companies in the state to receive tax credits for contributions made to the scholarship program and provides parents the economic means to choose the learning environment they believe best meets the needs of their children, regardless of family income.
Under Senate Bill 899, the base amount of allowable household income for eligible families would increase from $50,000 to $60,000.  The legislation would also increase the capita income allowance for household dependents from $10,000 to $12,000.  A cost of living adjustment would be applied annually to the income guidelines as well.
Additionally, the bill would apply a multiplier to allowable household income for those families with special needs children.
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Committee Acts to Create Tuition Control Study Commission
The Senate Education Committee approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin), Chairman of the Committee, which would take another step toward addressing the issue of college affordability by establishing a newly created commission to consider tuition control proposals and other measures to improve college affordability.
Under a revised version of Senate Bill 881, the Tuition Control Study Commission would be created.  The independent commission would be responsible for examining the costs of a college education for students in all sectors of higher education and determine ways by which Pennsylvania may authorize controls on annual tuition increases.  Following the commission's study, the group would be required to report its findings to the General Assembly.
The thirteen members to serve on the commission would include: The Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives' Education Committees; The Secretary for the Department of Education; The Chairman of the State Board of Education; The Chief Executive of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency; four appointments by the Chairman of the State Board of Education representing the various sectors in higher education; and two current college or university students appointed by the Governor.
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Sen. Piccola Unveils Reforms to Pre-K Counts Program
Legislation that would improve the efficiency of Pennsylvania's new Pre-K Counts Program of subsidized pre-kindergarten services was introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin).
Senate Bill 1073 reforms include changes relating to eligibility qualifications, fee structure, income verification, and auditing powers. The Pre-K Counts Program is currently offered at no cost to the qualifying family, regardless of income level. Senator Piccola's legislation would require a fee schedule be established for families above traditional low-income levels, but still keep the program free for those who satisfy the Head Start and subsidized day-care income eligibility guidelines. Senate Bill 1073 would also mandate income verification controls and expand auditing requirements.
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Senate Education Committee

Harrisburg School District to Earn Money to Innovate
Pennsylvania's Education Empowerment law may have expired on June 30, but the state's efforts to turn around failing school districts are continuing in the form of incentive grants, to be awarded to the six former "empowerment" school districts that take steps to implement reforms.   

Senate Approves College Textbook Affordability Legislation
The Senate approved legislation today that would make college textbooks more affordable and accessible to students, according to State Senator David G. Argall (R-29).

Senate Approves Study Designed to Modernize Pennsylvania's 50-Year-Old Library Code
Pennsylvania will soon begin work on a comprehensive review of the 50-year-old law governing library services in the state.

Senate Education Committee Endorses Corman Legislation to Reduce the Burden of Mandates on School Districts  
The Senate Education Committee approved legislation this week sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) to extend a provision of the state's Empowerment Act that allows school districts to apply for waivers from certain mandates. 
 

Senate Education Committee Approves Rafferty Measure Requiring Super Majority Vote to Raise School Property Taxes 
The Senate Education Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) that would require a "super majority" vote for school boards to raise taxes.

Piccola Applauds State's Decision to Study Safety at John Harris High School
Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-Dauphin, York) applauded an announcement from the state Department of Education that John Harris High School has been added to a sweeping 30-school study of school climate and safety issues. 

5/4/10 - Letter from Senate Republican Leaders to School Superintendents on School Funding for 2010-11 (PDF)

5/4/10 - Senate Education Committee Acts on Charter School Oversight Bill
The Senate Education Committee approved a comprehensive overhaul of the state's charter school law at its meeting, by a vote of 11 to 0.

Piccola Condemns Nightclub in Charter School
Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) condemned a West Philadelphia charter school that doubles as a nightclub, after he learned about the bar's existence  through a Channel 6 Action News report that first aired on WPVI-TV's 11 p.m. newscast Friday in the greater Philadelphia region.

Piccola Introduces Resolution to Study School Costs
Instead of focusing on what is wrong with today's schools, Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-15) wants to pinpoint what high-performing, low-spending schools are doing right.

Piccola Unveils Legislation to Update Pennsylvania's Education Empowerment Law
Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) shared plans of his legislative proposal that creates a new Education Empowerment Law for the Commonwealth, replacing the current statute to comply with federal standards and providing under-performing schools in the state the tools necessary to turn themselves around.

Charter School Reform Package Introduced by Senate Education Committee Chairmen
Pennsylvania's 12-year old Charter School Law would undergo major revisions under legislation introduced by the Senate Education Committee Chairmen, Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-15/Majority Chair) and Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-19/Minority Chair).

Education Committee Chair Joins State Officials to Renew the Call for School Safety Measures
Reiterating his call for safer classrooms in the Commonwealth and underscoring the significance of his legislative package, Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, joined Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak, State Board of Education Chairman Joseph Torsella, and Representative James Roebuck, Jr. (D-188) to emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing school safety.

Education Chairs to Unveil Comprehensive Charter School Reform Proposal
Keeping with their commitment to choice and options for Pennsylvania's students and their families, Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-15), Majority Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-19), Minority Chairman, announced their plans to introduce a comprehensive reform package to update the state's 12 year-old Charter School Law that will facilitate the creation of charter schools while improving oversight and accountability.  This will be first major rewrite of the statute since its inception.

Education Chair Praises IRRC Approval of Regulations to Advance Keystone Exams
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement lauding the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) for their recent approval of the final form regulations to change end-of-course statewide testing requirements for Pennsylvania high school students, known as the Keystone Exams.

Education Chair Seeks to Reform Tuition Account Program to Avoid Taxpayer Bailout
In an effort to ensure the law creating Pennsylvania's Tuition Account Program (TAP) is both transparent and protects taxpayers from a bailout should the fund fail to meet its fiduciary responsibilities, Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, will be introducing legislation calling for reforms to the program that establish parameters in the event of future financial shortfalls.

Piccola Introduces Amendments Calling for Reforms to Pre-K Counts Program
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, unveiled legislation that would amend the Public School Code and make changes to Pennsylvania's new Pre-K Counts Program, which provides state subsidized pre-kindergarten services among school districts, community-based providers, and other entities.

Education Chair Comments on State Board's Vote to Advance Regulation Calling for New Graduation Requirements and Assessment Systems
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, issued the following statement praising the State Board of Education's vote of 14-2 to adopt the final form regulation for implementation of new statewide graduation requirements and voluntary Keystone Exams.

Committee to Hold Hearing on School Consolidation
The Senate Education Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, August 7, 2009 beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the conference center at St. Francis University (117 Evergreen Drive, Loretto) to hear testimony on issues pertaining to school consolidation.

Senate Budget Does Not Harm Pennsylvania's 'Race to the Top' Eligibility
Due to massive increases in spending under the Rendell Administration, the poor economy and declining state revenue, Pennsylvania is facing its worst budget deficit in decades. The deficit is $3.2 billion and state government subsequently remains in an unprecedented budget stalemate.

Keystone Exam Compromise Receives Strong Bipartisan Support
After three public hearings and many conversations among lawmakers and various educational interest groups, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), voted in bipartisan support of a Senate resolution and a compromise forged by the Chairman of the State Board of Education, Joseph Torsella, regarding statewide end-of-course testing requirements and voluntary Keystone Exams.

Orie and Saylor Announce Discharge Resolution for Keystone Exam Legislation
Senate Majority Whip Jane C. Orie (R-40) and House Republican Policy Chairman Stan Saylor (R-94) at a press conference announced that there will be a discharge resolution filed for their legislation, which halts the movement of the Keystone Exams.

Senate Education Committee Chair to Move Bipartisan Resolution
The Senate Education Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. in Room 8 E-A of the East Wing to consider the following bills and a resolution on the compromise forged by the Chairman of the State Board of Education on statewide graduation requirements and voluntary Keystone Exams.

Piccola Issues Statement Regarding State Board’s Compromise on Graduation Exams
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, reacted to the compromise announced regarding the ongoing debate to implement graduation testing and praised the State Board of Education for its efforts and work with various interested parties. 

Corman Rejects Governor's Claims on Education Spending
Governor Rendell's claims that school districts will be burdened by spending cuts proposed in a Senate Republican passed budget are another attempt to gain support for his tax increases, according to Sen. Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte).   

Piccola Issues Statement Applauding School Districts Which Adopted 'No Tax Increase' Budgets
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, issued the following statement praising the Pennsylvania school districts that have recently chosen to adopt 'no tax increase' budgets for the 2009-10 school year and for recognizing the severity of the times based upon the national recession and the state's $3 billion revenue shortfall.

Education Committee Advances Piccola’s EITC Legislation
The Senate Education Committee, Chaired by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola, voted out Senate Bill 899, legislation he has authored that would make long-overdue changes to Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) by expanding income limits and allowances to benefit more families—without placing an additional financial burden on the Commonwealth.

Education Committee Reports Out Revised Higher Education Measure
The Senate Education Committee endorsed legislation sponsored by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Committee, which would take another step toward addressing the issue of college affordability by establishing a newly created commission to consider tuition control proposals and other measures to improve college affordability.

Safe Schools Package Sponsored by Piccola Is Approved by Senate
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola, Chairman of the Education Committee, applauded the Senate for approving a legislative bill package he has authored that would make significant and long overdue changes to Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Law by ensuring those with criminal records are banned from employment in the Commonwealth's schools and improving the relationship and reporting requirements between school districts and their local law enforcement.

Piccola’s Safe Schools Legislation Reported out of Appropriations Committee
The Senate Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill 55 and 56, a legislative package sponsored by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola, Chairman of the Education Committee, which would provide an overhaul to Pennsylvania's Safe Schools Law (Act 26 of 1995) by making changes to the state's school violence reporting system and creating tougher school hiring policies.  Both bills now await consideration by the full Senate.

Senate Approves Orie Bills to Halt Graduation Tests; Provide Students with Severe Allergies Access to Medication
The State Senate overwhelmingly approved two measures sponsored by Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40) that would halt a costly new graduation test and ensure that students with severe allergies have access to life-saving medication.
- SB736
- SB281

Senator Pileggi: Legislation Protecting Tax-Exempt Status of Charter Schools Approved by the Senate
Legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) to protect the tax-exempt status of charter schools was approved by the Senate, 49 to 0.

Senator Jane Orie and Representative Matt Smith Push Measures to Help Students with Medical Conditions
State Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40) and Representative Matt Smith (D-42) held a press conference to promote their legislation that would amend the Pennsylvania School Code by providing additional protections to students who suffer from severe allergies and diabetes and need access to their medications and treatment.
- News Conference

Senate Education Committee Moves Orie Measures
The Pennsylvania Senate Education Committee unanimously approved two measures introduced by State Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40).

Senate Education Committee Chair Introduces Revised Higher Education Affordability and Accountability Legislation
Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) announced he has revised and reintroduced his legislation focusing on higher education accountability and affordability.  Senate Bill 881 would establish necessary tuition controls and accountability measures without placing additional financial burdens on the Commonwealth.

Education Committee Chair Calls Education Spending Priorities Necessary to Avoid Future Funding Disasters
Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) issued the following statement on passage of a balanced state budget with realistic education spending priorities.

Education Chair Reiterates His Call for Reform to Charter Law
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, released the following statement reacting to the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) investigation and lawsuit into the Agora Cyber Charter School’s activities, criticizing the board’s alleged misconduct, and reiterating his call for a rewrite of the state’s Charter School Law.

Teacher Strikes the Focus of Education Committee's Public Hearing
Considering that Pennsylvania continues to hold the distinction as the leader in teacher strikes, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), convened a public hearing on to further profile the issue and hear testimony on the impact walkouts have on the Commonwealth's students, academic achievement and performance, and the public education system.

Education Committee Chair Comments on Alternative Solution to Keystone Exams
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, released the following statement reacting to the Pennsylvania State Education Association and various other organizations unveiling of the "Keystone Exams 2.0," an alternative plan to the Keystone Exams, which was proposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association last month.

Education Committee Endorses Piccola’s Safe Schools Legislation
Working to make the Commonwealth’s schools a safer haven for learning, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15) voted out legislation that he has sponsored – Senate Bills 55 and 56 – which would reform Pennsylvania’s Safe Schools Law by enforcing tougher school hiring policies and revising the state’s school violence reporting system.

Piccola Unveils Legislation Addressing Higher Education Needs for Pennsylvania Families
In an effort to rein in skyrocketing college tuition costs, Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, introduced a legislative package that promises to deliver affordability, accountability, and choice to Pennsylvania students and their families.

Senate Education Committee Chair Releases Statement on Agreement Reached for Stronger High School Graduation Requirements Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Education Committee, released the following statement regarding the agreement reached earlier this week among the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, and the state Board of Education to move forward with a revised high school graduation testing requirement while permitting school districts to maintain local authority in this process.

Sen. Orie Statement on Department of Education Graduation Test
State Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40) issued the following statement in reaction to the Department of Education, State Board of Education, and Pennsylvania School Boards Association agreement on high school graduation testing.

Op-ed by Senator Jeffrey Piccola - The Keys to Higher Education – Affordability, Accountability, & Choice
While post secondary education is not necessary to lead a successful and happy life, a college degree has become increasingly essential to helping achieve the American Dream.

Committee Hears Testimony on Orie Bill Halting New State Test
A controversial and costly Administration proposal to mandate Graduate Competence Assessment Tests in Pennsylvania high schools was the focus of testimony before the Senate Education Committee, according to Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny), who strongly opposes the measure.

Senate Education Committee hearing on information relevant to: Graduate Competency Assessments (GCAs)
Senator Jane Orie’s legislation imposing a moratorium on GCAs, and Senator Piccola’s proposal to use the existing PSSA process as means to avoid the necessity of a GCA.
- Part 1 - (running time 25 minutes)
- Part 2 - (running time 1 hour 25 minutes)
- Part 3 - (running time 1 hour 20 minutes)
- Part 4 - (running time 1 hour 30 minutes)
- Part 5 - (running time 29 minutes)
- (running time 5 hours 17 minutes)

Senate Education Committee Chair Unveils Higher Education Proposal
In response to the Governor’s recent unveiling of his proposed Tuition Relief Act, Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, announced his plans for the “Affordability, Accountability, and Choice in Higher Education Act.”
 

Orie Bill Bars Development of $45 Million State School Test
State Senator Jane C. Orie (R-40) has introduced legislation expressly prohibiting the Department of Education from establishing any new high school graduation requirement without legislative approval.

Senate Education Committee Chair Comments on Budget Projections & Promises Close Scrutiny During Budget Hearings 
Senator Jeffrey E. Piccola (R-15), Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement regarding state budget projections and his focus for the scheduled budget hearings in the coming weeks.