We hope the back-to-school season is treating you well! Here’s a snapshot of key education developments that occurred this month.
In this issue:
- Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Puts Schools and Teachers at Risk
- Parochial Students Now Eligible for Public School Sports in Pennsylvania
- Bill Expands Unemployment Eligibility During Strikes
- Appeals Court Backs Federal Education Department Job Cuts
Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Puts Schools and Teachers at Risk
Pennsylvania lawmakers failed to pass the 2025–26 state budget by the June 30 deadline, leaving school districts and educators facing significant uncertainty. The state constitution requires a balanced budget by that date, but the stalemate has delayed more than $2 billion in funding earmarked for public schools.
Without those payments, many districts—particularly in lower-wealth areas—are already turning to short-term loans or dipping into reserve funds to stay afloat. This stopgap approach, however, only delays the deeper strain districts may face if the impasse continues.
The funding delay has created cascading challenges for educators across the state:
- Pay and benefits pressure: While teacher contracts guarantee salaries, districts face tighter budgets that could force cuts in other areas.
- Larger classes and fewer programs: Staffing freezes and reduced support services threaten to increase workloads and eliminate enrichment opportunities.
- Limited classroom resources: Delayed money for supplies, technology, and facility needs adds daily stress to teachers’ work.
The missed deadline is compounding long-standing financial challenges and placing teachers and students directly in the crossfire. Each week without a budget makes it harder for districts to plan, operate reliably, and provide the high-quality education Pennsylvania students deserve.
Take Action Now: Urge your state legislators to set politics aside and pass the budget to ensure schools, teachers, and students receive the resources they deserve. Contact your legislator today via the Pennsylvania General Assembly website: https://www.palegis.us/find-
Parochial Students Now Eligible for Public School Sports in Pennsylvania
A federal court has approved an interim consent order that requires students attending parochial schools in Pennsylvania to be allowed to join athletic teams in their home public school districts when their own school does not offer the same sport. Under this ruling, students remain enrolled in their parochial schools but may participate in public school athletics, provided they meet the same eligibility standards as all other student-athletes, including requirements for academics, attendance, and physicals. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) must revise its bylaws to comply with the court order, and while formal changes are still pending, the ruling takes effect immediately and overrides any conflicting regulations. The decision ensures that faith-based school students will no longer be excluded from interscholastic sports opportunities simply because their school does not field a particular team.
Bill Expands Unemployment Eligibility During Strikes
On September 30, the Pennsylvania House Labor & Industry Committee passed House Bill 145 in a party-line vote. The measure would amend Section 402 of the Unemployment Compensation Law to remove language that currently makes workers ineligible for unemployment benefits if they are out of work due to a strike or labor dispute. If enacted, striking workers would be treated the same as other unemployed individuals who meet all eligibility requirements. The bill now heads to the full House for consideration.
Appeals Court Backs Federal Education Department Job Cuts
A federal appeals court has allowed the U.S. Department of Education to proceed with layoffs in its Office for Civil Rights. The Sept. 29 ruling lifted a lower court block and follows a July Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for broader workforce reductions.
The layoffs affect more than 1,300 employees, about one-third of the department’s staff, as part of a larger plan to scale back or potentially dissolve the agency. The Office for Civil Rights, which is responsible for investigating complaints related to discrimination in schools, including issues tied to race, gender, disability, and sexual harassment, had been the focus of lawsuits challenging the cuts.
