The following report highlights key state and federal news developments for November, summarizing the most relevant legislative actions, policy updates, and government activities.
In this edition:
- Budget 2025–26 Delivers Major School Reforms
- Educator Workforce & Certification Reforms
- Early Literacy Initiatives
- Cyber Charter Reform
- Public School Funding Changes
- PA Senate Passes AI-Generated Child Abuse Legislation
- Joint Public Hearing Addresses AI in Education and Workforce Development
- Federal Shutdown Ends, Restoring Key Education Services
- National Conversation on Teacher Pay
PA Budget 2025–26 Delivers Major School Reforms
The passage of the 2025–26 Pennsylvania state budget and Act 47 brings significant education reforms designed to strengthen the educator workforce, expand early literacy efforts, and increase accountability in cyber charter schools. Key changes are summarized below.
- Streamlined certification pathways that allow teachers to serve more grade levels under a single certification.
- Reduced educator certification fees.
- New alternative pathways for Career & Technical Education (CTE) instructors to demonstrate qualifications.
- Creation of an experience-based teaching certificate enabling industry professionals to transition into teaching while completing required coursework.
- Districts may hire teachers with lapsed certifications while supporting them through the reinstatement process.
- Increased funding for student-teacher stipends to help attract new educators.
Early Literacy Initiatives
- Mandatory shift to evidence-based literacy instruction in early grades.
- Required K–3 reading screenings three times per year.
- Mandatory parent notification when a student shows reading deficiencies.
- Districts must report annual literacy progress data to PDE.
Cyber Charter Reform
- Students must be visible via webcam during synchronous instruction to be counted as present.
- Weekly wellness checks are required, and educators must receive training to recognize signs of child abuse.
- Students with high truancy may not transfer to cyber charters without a judicial determination.
- A new streamlined process helps districts dispute tuition for students who have moved out of the district.
Public School Funding Changes
- More than $500 million has been added to the state’s adequacy formula for underfunded districts.
- All school districts are now guaranteed a minimum $50,000 distribution through the adequacy formula.
- $125 million has been allocated for school facility repairs, including $25 million for the Solar for Schools initiative.
- $100 million is designated for school safety and mental health grants.
- FAFSA completion is now required for graduation (with an opt-out option).
Members are welcome to reach out to KEYTA staff if you would like additional details on any of the new budget provisions.
PA Senate Passes AI-Generated Child Abuse Legislation
Senate Bill 1050 was unanimously approved by the Senate. It would require mandated reporters (teachers, school staff, child-care workers, and health-care providers) to report all instances of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The bill also addresses rising incidents of AI-generated CSAM, including cases emerging within school environments. It now awaits consideration by the PA House of Representatives.
Joint Public Hearing Addresses AI in Education and Workforce Development
The Pennsylvania Senate Education and Communications & Technology Committees held a joint hearing to examine the expanding role of artificial intelligence in K–12 education. Lawmakers, educators, technology experts, and workforce leaders stressed that AI is quickly becoming a core tool for learning and future employment, but must be deployed responsibly to safeguard student privacy, safety, and academic integrity.
Witnesses outlined significant opportunities, including personalized learning, operational efficiency, and stronger workforce preparation, while also warning of serious risks such as misinformation, inequitable access, deepfakes, and potential misuse by minors. The hearing highlighted the need for statewide guidance, investments in training and infrastructure, and clear ethical guardrails.
Federal Shutdown Ends, Restoring Key Education Services
On November 12, 2025, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026 was signed into law, ending the 43-day federal shutdown and providing short-term stability for education systems across the country, including Pennsylvania. While the overall impact will vary depending on how heavily individual districts rely on federal funding, the reopening of the government immediately reversed layoff notices at the U.S. Department of Education and brought furloughed staff back to work. This allowed the department to resume essential operations such as processing grants, providing state oversight and technical assistance, and managing key administrative responsibilities.
National Conversation on Teacher Pay
Teacher compensation remains a high-profile issue at the federal level, with growing bipartisan attention on the need to make salaries more competitive. A federal legislative proposal entitled “Pay Teachers Act” has been introduced in Congress to establish livable, competitive wages nationwide. Senate Bill 2481aims to push for a $60,000 national minimum teacher salary. Although national data show that teacher pay has inched upward in recent years, salaries still lag behind inflation and remain significantly lower than those in comparable professions. As of now, the bill is still in committee and has not advanced to a floor vote, meaning the proposal is active but has not yet gained the momentum needed for passage.
