The state House has passed three bills aimed at addressing teacher shortages and improving student outcomes through a new tutoring program. These bills will now be reviewed by the Senate. Here are the details:
House Bill 100 proposes a “Tutoring Program” where junior and senior students can tutor younger students in grades 1-6 and receive academic credit. The bill also encourages struggling students to participate in tutoring to improve their own academic performance.
House Bill 141 aims to provide financial assistance to educators willing to work in high-need schools. The bill includes measures to identify and promote evidence-based, high-quality educator “grow your own” career pathway programs. Additionally, 15% of funds will be allocated to 1506-K Program Grants that can only be used to cover tuition, fees, supplies, or other costs related to secondary school students enrolled at institutions of higher education through an agreement between a school entity and an institution of higher education. This funding should be distributed across the Commonwealth on a geographical basis.
House Bill 688 establishes the Pennsylvania Teach Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships of up to $8,000 per year to students studying in the state school system. The bill establishes the Pennsylvania Teach Scholarship Program, which provides a scholarship worth up to $8,000 per year to eligible students studying in the state school system. Before receiving a scholarship grant, a student must apply for Federal Pell Grants and state grants available to cover the cost of attendance. Eligible students must enter into a written agreement with the agency, commence employment in Pennsylvania within one year after completing their approved course of study, work within Pennsylvania for a period of one year for each academic year that they received the scholarship grant, and reimburse the Commonwealth all amounts received if they fail to comply with the terms of the agreement. An eligible student engaged in student teaching is also eligible to receive a scholarship grant, and the grant may be renewed for up to four academic years.
House Bill 148 has also passed in the PA House. This bill mandates that parents of students in grades 6-12 receive educational information on eating disorders annually. The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health, will establish a Task Force to develop and implement guidelines for providing this educational information to parents.
The Senate Education Committee approved two pieces of legislation that are now awaiting full chamber consideration, and they are as follows:
Senate Bill 290 proposes a moment of silence in schools to commemorate the anniversary of September 11, 2001, and requires the Department of Education to develop curriculum for teaching students about the events and significance of that day.
Senate Bill 647 amends the Public School Code to mandate a personal financial literacy course in high school and requires the State Board of Education to revise the State standards for Economics, Family and Consumer Science, and Career Education and Work.
