The House Education Committee cancelled its public hearing the Charter School Act and School Choice today after concerns raised by Minority Chairman James Roebuck (D-Philadelphia). Chairman Roebuck argued that the public hearing violated House Rule 50 because a five calendar day notice was not given to members of the committee. Chairman Paul Clymer (R-Bucks) conceded that the rule was not followed and declared the public hearing “null and void” and cancelled the  Thursday public hearing as well. After meeting with legal staff, Chairman Clymer proceeded to hold an “informal gathering” with several republican members of the committee and heard informal testimony from the Baden Academy Charter School, the Collegium Charter School, the Education Law Center, and the Keystone State Education Coalition. Check out PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.

The House Education Committee reported out SB 612 as amended with only Rep. Michael O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) voting in the negative. The legislation provides for the suspension of professional employees for economic reasons as part of plan to reduce or control school district costs. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.

The House Education Committee held an informational hearing today on state-required student testing. The committee members heard from several teachers and the Department of Education on the issue and inquired about the PSSAs and the Keystone Exams. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing today to discuss school construction issues and Intermediate Unit reporting transparency. The first panel consisted of representatives from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), gave an overview of PlanCon, discussed the merits of HB 257 and HB 258 and addressed mandate relief concerns. Panel two was represented by executive directors of three Intermediate Units across Pennsylvania, they discussed funding sources and the measures all intermediate units take to provide transparency. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing on HB 885, the legislation would provide for teacher furloughs for economic reasons. Testifiers included the PSEA, PSBA, PASBO, and PASA. Check out the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing this morning on Advanced Placement (AP). Catherine Nti, Executive Director of K-12 Services for the College Board gave an overview of the AP program in nationwide and Pennsylvania. “College readiness, college costs, and college completion are three significant education policy issues that the nation and the Commonwealth are grappling,” she stated. “Moreover, the issues surrounding educational disparities between ethnic/racial/socio-economic groups compound these three problems. Fortunately, significant and compelling research on all of these areas demonstrates that AP is a viable and proven policy solution.” The committee also heard from the superintendents of the Ridgeway School District and the Cumberland Valley School District as well as the K-12 Gifted and Talented Education Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Check out the full story later today on the PLS Capitol Toolbox.

The House Education Committee held a public hearing on HB 2205. Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks), prime sponsor of the bill, said the legislation would direct the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study on the appropriateness and efficacy of establishing fees and copayments for participation in the Pre-K Counts program. Todd Klunk, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Childhood Development and Early Learning, spoke against the bill. He said the legislation “would negatively impact our Pre-K Counts program by imposing a fee schedule on parents who cannot afford it and by lowering its quality.” Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story.

House Education Committee reported out HB 1163 as amended by a margin of 14-12. The bill requires all school districts to provide comprehensive sex education to students. Rep. Chelsa Wagner, prime sponsor of the legislation, stated that the bill is necessary to curb teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Check the PLS Capitol Toolbox later today to read the full story.