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 Interest Discount Available
- PDE Updates Student Teacher Evaluation Criteria
- Pennsylvania Joins the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
- KEYTA Foundation $250 Classroom Grant
PA Daily Recess Requirement Begins in 2027–28
Under Act 20 of 2026, schools must provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess for students in full-day kindergarten through fifth grade and at least 15 minutes for half-day kindergarten beginning with the 2027–28 school year. Recess must give students a break from structured classroom instruction for physical activity, unstructured play, or social interaction; lunch and physical education classes do not count toward the requirement. Schools cannot shorten lunch to accommodate recess. If instructional time is reduced, schools cannot take time only from subjects such as art or music without proportionately reducing time in state-tested subjects. When possible, recess should occur outdoors without electronic devices. Schools may reduce recess on days with delayed starts or adjusted dismissal times. The law also preserves the ability to withhold some or all recess for disciplinary violations. Schools have the current school year to review schedules and plan for implementation.
Federal Student Loan Interest Discount Available
Have federal student loans? You may qualify for a lower interest rate. The U.S. Department of Education has extended the deadline to enroll in automatic payments to December 31, 2026, allowing eligible borrowers to receive a temporary one-percentage-point interest-rate reduction through June 30, 2028. For example, a 6% rate would drop to 5%, helping reduce interest costs. Borrowers already enrolled in automatic payments also qualify if their loans are eligible. Contact your loan servicer to confirm eligibility and make sure the discount is applied.
PDE Updates Student Teacher Evaluation Criteria
PDE announced revisions to the PDE 430 and Framework for Evaluation: Pre-Service Teacher on September 11, 2026. This includes classroom and technology safety, as well as appropriate equipment use and protective gear where applicable, with additional language reflecting CTE safety standards, OSHA standards, and proper use of personal protective equipment. Cooperating K–12 teachers should review these expectations with their student teachers and provide opportunities to demonstrate the applicable safety practices before evaluation.
Pennsylvania Joins the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact
PDE recently announced they’ve made it easier for teachers with eligible licenses to obtain equivalent certification in participating states. Other participating states include Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. By simplifying certification for out-of-state educators, the agreement may help Pennsylvania schools recruit experienced teachers for hard-to-fill positions while supporting teachers, particularly those in military families, who relocate. It also provides Pennsylvania teachers with greater career mobility, although its impact on recruitment remains to be seen.
KEYTA Foundation $250 Classroom Grant
Do you have an innovative project or classroom need for the new school year? The application window is now open for the Keystone Teachers Association Foundation’s classroom grants! Educators can receive up to $250 to fund a variety of impactful projects and tools. In the past, the foundation has proudly supported purchases for books, science materials, educational technology, art supplies, and other vital classroom resources that create meaningful learning experiences for students. To review the details and submit your application before the October 15, 2026 deadline, visit keytafoundation.org.
