Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB700

Introduced
4/30/25  
Refer
4/30/25  

Caption

In evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and for evidence-based reading instruction curriculum and providing for reading screening, for reading deficiency and identification, for school entity duties and reading intervention plan, for parent notification, for grants to school entities, for funding and for reporting; and establishing the Evidence-based Reading Instruction Restricted Account.

Impact

The implementation of SB700 is expected to significantly impact educational standards relating to literacy in Pennsylvania. By requiring evidence-based reading instruction, it aims to standardize the quality of reading education provided across various school districts. Each school is expected to adopt an evidence-based curriculum by the 2030-2031 school year and will have to implement structured intervention plans for students identified with reading deficiencies. This could lead to improved reading outcomes for young students and may help decrease the number of students who struggle with literacy in later grades.

Summary

Senate Bill 700 aims to enhance literacy instruction across public schools in Pennsylvania by mandating evidence-based reading instruction curricula and screening for students in kindergarten through third grade. The bill establishes a framework requiring school entities to screen students for reading deficiencies at multiple points throughout the academic year and provide necessary interventions. It includes provisions for the development of a restricted grant fund to help cover the initial implementation costs for schools adopting these strategies, ensuring that schools have access to resources needed for effective reading instruction.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB700 appears generally supportive among educators and literacy advocates who see the value in providing structured and measurable instruction methods. They believe that implementing evidence-based practices will ultimately enhance student learning and achievement. However, there are concerns regarding the adequacy of funding and resources necessary for successful implementation, with critics urging caution regarding the practicality of the bill’s requirements in diverse educational environments.

Contention

Discussions during committee meetings indicated some contention around the bill's provisions, particularly regarding the feasibility of uniformly implementing the mandated curricula and interventions in all school districts. Questions were raised about how schools with limited resources could adapt to these new requirements effectively. Additionally, some stakeholders emphasized the importance of parent involvement and transparency in the assessment process to keep families informed about their children’s literacy progress.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB998

Providing for evidence-based reading instruction.

PA HB1506

In terms and courses of study, providing for prohibited review of curriculum, instructional materials and voluntary inquiry material in public school entities.

PA HB1826

In terms and courses of study, further providing for subjects of instruction and flag code and providing for voting rights instruction; and, in high schools, further providing for assessment of civic knowledge and providing for voter registration efforts.

PA HB2386

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, further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for funds, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, repealing provisions relating to administrative/instructional consolidation incentives; and making editorial changes.

PA HB2493

In certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department.

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 SB579

Further providing for definitions and for sexual assault evidence collection program.

PA HB2088

Further providing for definitions and for sexual assault evidence collection program.

PA SB1252

In construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for definitions and for building condition assessments.

PA HB1708

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, providing for educational oversight for students in facilities, further providing for possession of weapons prohibited and providing for school stability for certain students; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for reporting and establishing the School-Based Diversion Programs Fund; in school security, further providing for powers and duties and providing for limitations on proceedings and arrest; and, in school districts of the first class, repealing provisions relating to placement of certain adjudicated students.

Similar Bills

DE HB69

An Act To Amend Title 14 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Reading Competency.

PA SB801

In certification of teachers, further providing for teacher

PA HB998

Providing for evidence-based reading instruction.

MN SF1273

The Read Act

MA H579

To promote high-quality comprehensive literacy instruction in all Massachusetts schools

MA S263

To promote high-quality comprehensive literacy instruction in all Massachusetts schools

MN SF3698

Read Act amendment

MN HF3744

Read Act amended, working group established, supplemental funding provided, reports required, and money appropriated.