Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 1014 into law on October 26, 2026, requiring Pennsylvania schools to adopt policies prohibiting student use of personal cell phones throughout the school day, including lunch, recess, and between classes. Schools must implement the policies by the start of the 2027–28 school year. The requirement applies to public, charter,
PA Enacts School Cell Phone Ban Read More »
New Findings: Student Mental Health and Safety Improve Pennsylvania students are reporting improvements in mental health and feelings of safety at school, according to findings from the 2025 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS), highlighted in an October 2, 2026, state announcement. Conducted in fall 2025, the survey collected 267,379 valid responses from students in grades 6,
PA Student Survey Shows Progress in Mental Health and School Safety Read More »
Pennsylvania reported 943 confirmed measles cases across 39 counties and five measles-associated deaths as of September 30. The outbreak remains a concern for schools because measles spreads easily through the air. Children accounted for nearly one-third of Pennsylvania’s reported measles cases as of September 25. Meanwhile, reports show that 92.7% of kindergarteners had received the
Measles in Pennsylvania: What Educators Should Know Read More »
Pennsylvania legislative activity was relatively quiet through much of September, with the House and Senate returning from summer recess on September 28. Additional session days are scheduled in October, providing opportunities for lawmakers to advance legislation before the November 3 midterm elections. In this issue: PA Daily Recess Requirement Begins in 2027–28 Federal Student Loan
September 2026 Education Update Read More »
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday recently announced a multistate settlement with Meta aimed at strengthening protections for children and teenagers on Facebook and Instagram. One provision directly affecting schools is a new “School Mode” for teen accounts. During typical school hours, Meta will disable most notifications by default, and parents may further restrict access. Teen
Meta Settlement Could Bring New Social Media Protections for Students Read More »
Welcome back! Thank you for the incredible impact you make every day. Here’s to a fantastic school year! In this Issue: Districts Replacing Yellow Busses with Transit Passes PA Tech Schools Overloaded Amid Massive Waitlists Stay Informed and Protected for the New School Year KEYTA Foundation $250 Classroom Grant Districts Replacing Yellow Busses with Transit Passes Following a
August 2026 Education Update Read More »
As a new school year approaches, here is a brief look at important state and federal education developments, along with KEYTA opportunities and reminders for members. In this Issue: Pennsylvania’s 2026–27 Education Budget Schools to Teach Social Media Safety Federal Focus on School Sexual Misconduct Remember: Contact KEYTA First Supreme Court Rules on Transgender Athletes
July 2026 Education Update Read More »
Happy Independence Day! As we head into the Independence Day weekend, all of us at the Keystone Teachers Association wish you and your family a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable holiday. This year is especially significant as America celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. We hope you have the opportunity to spend time with
June 2026 Education Update Read More »
As another school year comes to a close, we want to thank you for the dedication, care, and professionalism you bring to your students, schools, and communities each day. As summer begins, we hope you take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy a well-deserved break with family and friends. Whether you’re traveling, pursuing personal interests,
May 2026 Education Update & Art Contest Winners Read More »
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! This week is all about recognizing the incredible work you do every single day. Your dedication, resilience, and passion shape not only your students’ futures, but the communities you serve. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment in the classroom, a word of encouragement that changes a student’s path, or the countless unseen
Celebrating You: Teacher Appreciation Week + Special Member Giveaway! Read More »
