Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1434

Introduced
6/20/23  
Refer
6/20/23  
Refer
6/27/23  
Report Pass
9/22/23  
Refer
9/22/23  
Report Pass
3/20/24  
Refer
3/20/24  
Report Pass
3/25/24  
Engrossed
3/25/24  

Caption

Providing for the Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1434 would amend existing education laws, specifically the Public School Code of 1949, to include provisions that prioritize grant funding for institutions that demonstrate an ability to expand dual credit course offerings. It emphasizes funding towards educational stability for students, especially those enrolled in career and technical education programs. The dual credit courses will provide students with college-level coursework while still attending high school, potentially resulting in significant cost savings for families and improved educational outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 1434 introduces the Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program aimed at enhancing access to dual credit opportunities for high school students in Pennsylvania. The bill proposes the establishment of a grant system within the Department of Education that supports public institutions of higher education in providing tuition-free dual credit courses, thereby facilitating a smoother transition for students into postsecondary education. This initiative is intended to not only increase the availability of dual credit courses but also to ensure that these offerings meet the needs of diverse student populations, particularly those from economically disadvantaged and underserved backgrounds.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding the bill appears largely positive among education advocates and legislators who support increased educational equity and access. Proponents argue the bill addresses significant gaps in education by providing under-resourced students with opportunities that can lead to higher graduation rates and better postsecondary outcomes. However, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and resources available for the program, raising questions about its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

Contention

Notable points of contention focus on the administration of the program and potential disparities in resource allocation among different educational institutions. Critics may argue that while the bill aims for equity, it could inadvertently favor larger or more established institutions over smaller ones, potentially exacerbating existing inequalities. There may also be discussions around how the program's metrics for success will be defined and measured, which could impact the overall effectiveness and scope of the dual credit offerings.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2398

In transfers of credits between institutions of higher education, further providing for definitions and for duties of public institutions of higher education, providing for guaranteed admission, for reports to General Assembly and for dispute resolution and further providing for Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee, for duties of department and for applicability; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for definitions and providing for student fee transparency; and providing for institutions of higher education and Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program.

PA HB1395

Transportation Innovation Grant Program

PA HB27

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Basic Education Funding Commission and for special provisions applicable to limited school years, establishing the Child Reunification Program in the Department of Education and providing for minimum number of days or hours, for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for additional schools and departments; in school finances, providing for school district budget timeline for 2024 and for procedure for securing approval of electors; in grounds and buildings, further providing for limitation on new applications for Department of Education approval of public school building projects; in school directors' associations and county boards of school directors, further providing for powers and duties; in intermediate units, further providing for visual services and for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, repealing provisions relating to religious garb, insignia, etc., prohibited and penalty; in certification of teachers, further providing for substitute teaching permit for prospective teachers, for locally issued temporary certification for substitute teachers and for permit for classroom monitors; providing for Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program; in pupils and attendance, further providing for compulsory education of physical defectives, for dependent children, for cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children in approved institutions, for payment of cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children, for transfer of funds for transferal programs and for children under six with defective hearing and parent or guardian advised of schools, etc.; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for Office for Safe Schools, repealing provisions relating to regulations and to reporting, further providing for policy relating to bullying and for maintenance of records, repealing provisions relating to safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class, to standing, to enforcement and to construction of article and other laws; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions and for School Safety and Security Committee, providing for duties of committee, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, providing for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program, for standardized protocols, for county safe schools' collaborative and for school mental health grants for 2023-2024 school year, further providing for school safety and security coordinator training and providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding, for safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class and for enforcement; in school security, further providing for definitions, for school police officers, for annual report and for school security guards; in school health services, further providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene services and providing for eating disorder awareness and education; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, providing for enrollment of students; in terms and courses of study, providing for calculation of average daily membership for a dual credit course and further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly meetings; in character education program, further providing for character education program; providing for the Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for qualification and application by organizations, for limitations and for low-achieving schools; in school districts of the first class, further providing for qualifications of principals and teachers; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2023-2024; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for definitions and for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums, providing for Level-Up Supplement for 2022-2023 school year, further providing for payments on account of courses for exceptional children, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status, for payments, for payments on account of pupil transportation, for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant and for payment of required contribution for public school employees' Social Security; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; providing for School Environmental Repairs Program; abrogating a regulation; and making an editorial change.

PA HB897

In transfers of credits between

PA HB819

In certification of teachers, further providing for continuing professional development; providing for access to rigorous courses of study for all students; establishing the Access to Rigorous Courses of Study for All Students Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

PA A3319

Establishes Innovation Dual Enrollment II Pilot Program in DOE.

PA SB1150

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and providing for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; providing for institutions of higher education, for Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program and for intercollegiate athletics; in ready-to-succeed scholarship, further providing for agency; and making a repeal.

PA HB904

Providing for school-to-work programs; establishing the CareerBound Program; providing for the CareerBound Tax Credit Program; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry.

PA HB882

Providing for school-to-work programs; establishing the CareerBound program; providing for a tax credit; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry.

PA HB141

In talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; and establishing the Grow-Your-Own Educators Grant Program and grow-your-own educator career pathways; and imposing duties of the Department of Education.

Similar Bills

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TX SB174

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CA AB1344

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CA AB70

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CA AB3167

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