Below is your April 2026 summary of key developments from the Pennsylvania Legislature, Governor’s Office, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and relevant national education news.
In this Issue:
- Proposed 2026–27 State Budget (Major Education Investment)
- PA Senate and House Education Committee Activity
- Reading Curriculum Mandates Move Toward Implementation
- National Education Updates
Proposed 2026–27 State Budget (Major Education Investment)
The PA House has advanced Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget, which includes approximately $700 million in additional funding for public schools, including:
- Strengthening early literacy programs
- Streamlining teacher certification processes
- Expanding Career & Technical Education (CTE) pathways
- Cyber charter school reforms
PA Senate and House Education Committee Activity
Recent hearings and legislative activity continue to focus on:
- Proposed statewide school-day cell phone restrictions
- Artificial Intelligence in K–12 and higher education, including student safety, privacy, and instructional use
- Cyber charter school funding and accountability reforms
- Teacher certification updates and interstate reciprocity
- Student teacher support programs and grants
- Legislation addressing extraordinary special education costs for districts
- Creation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) modernization grants
- Bills related to student health services and supports
Reading Curriculum Mandates Move Toward Implementation
Pennsylvania established its evidence-based reading requirement through Act 135 of 2024, reinforced by the 2025–26 state budget, with full implementation required by the 2027–28 school year. The mandate primarily impacts Kindergarten through Grade 3 (K–3), where foundational literacy skills are developed. Currently, districts are in a transition and preparation phase, with many reviewing and adopting science-of-reading–aligned curricula, providing teacher training in structured literacy practices, and implementing universal reading screeners. Districts are also beginning to build or refine intervention systems to support struggling readers ahead of the statewide requirement.
National Education Updates
Recent national news highlights several emerging trends impacting schools:
- Ongoing concerns with standardized testing systems, as technical issues disrupted state exams in multiple locations
- Major changes to federal student loan repayment programs, with potential implications for the future teacher workforce
- Continued debate around Artificial Intelligence in education, including equity and access to specialized programs
- Growing momentum for statewide school cell phone restrictions, reflecting a national focus on student attention and behavior
- Continued recognition of arts and enrichment programs, reinforcing the importance of whole-child education
