Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB896

Introduced
4/12/23  

Caption

In the State Board of Education, further providing for membership.

Impact

If enacted, HB896 would have significant implications for the appointment process and composition of the State Board of Education. The proposed changes are expected to facilitate greater representation from various stakeholders, potentially including educators, parents, and community leaders. This could lead to more balanced decision-making that better addresses the educational needs of diverse populations across the state.

Summary

HB896 seeks to amend existing laws regarding the governance structure of the State Board of Education, with a focus on refining its membership criteria. This bill is introduced in the context of ongoing discussions about the effectiveness and diversity of the board's representation. Proponents of the bill argue that these changes are necessary to enhance governance and ensure that the board reflects a broader spectrum of interests and expertise relevant to contemporary educational challenges.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB896 appears to be mixed. Supporters view the bill as a necessary step towards improving educational governance and representation, arguing that it aligns the board's composition with the needs of a modern educational system. Conversely, critics express concerns that changes might politicize the board further or detract from its primary focus on education over political maneuvering.

Contention

Notable points of contention include fears about the politicization of the State Board of Education and whether these changes could disrupt existing policies that have been effective. Some stakeholders worry that altering the membership criteria may lead to instability within the board and impact ongoing educational initiatives. The discussion reflects broader themes around governance in education, making it a focal point for ongoing legislative debates.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB213

In the State Board of Education, further providing for definitions and providing for academic standards review; and making editorial changes.

PA HB228

In the State Board of Education, further providing for definitions and providing for academic standards review; and making editorial changes.

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1168

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for Board of Governors.

PA HB938

In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for Board of Governors.

PA HB1654

In duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for kindergartens; in pupils and attendance, further providing for age limits and temporary residence, for definitions and for when provided; and providing for full-day kindergarten.

PA HB1467

Higher educational institutions, baccalaureate public; membership of governing boards.

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 HB829

In duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for kindergartens; in pupils and attendance, further providing for age limits and temporary residence, for definitions and for when provided; and, in early learning programs, providing for full-day kindergarten.

PA SB388

In terms and courses of study, further providing for dating violence education; and, in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for definitions and for education program.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.