[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6313732,"mediaKeyId","2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2","parentId",2386941,"title","Committee Seeks Assurances on IEPs as Federal Education Funding and Guidance Remain Uncertain","audioSeconds",215,"startMs",285000,"endMs",500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2&start=285&end=500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2/thumbnail_285000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6313732/Pennsylvania/Committee-Seeks-Assurances-on-IEPs-as-Federal-Education-Funding-and-Guidance-Remain-Uncertain","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313732-0ed95138b9c80545a2dad04beb3eac5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776057908&Signature=dSlarW9lEn5dp~XcRaJ33LKtfY9exLGgXpXzFuoXxXI1Dds4dACqW2QgxM4L9U0vV4s3nbRbaf4miIkpGsSXTu~sicEALOtYWR~z3KtpPn1Qqhoq1qbx8PUEEbijoNbeSG5yJXloqfZq2wjC~MQHgaO7AdwY0X-6HqSnG1G2O4cAfTRBgbFoqEcZmmtSrg9Hi-IlC8YsTnFIQgigYKCxdpTHaCrgEKGeAMrrprmG7TOZySLDZr7F4EHFdeA56myzeciMjVNFsqeLo0D3giBeleSEvTb1Rxy5Ow5TMvQGTzLI6ERp1ho3eUxRpEn-nbswZbMdi4MjpU1U1OhsTCXIug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-02-25T08:50:12Z","article","Representative Salisbury asked the Pennsylvania Department of Education at the Feb. 24 appropriations hearing what to tell parents worried that IEPs and 504 accommodations could be unenforced if federal guidance or funding changes.

\"I think you can start by telling parents that the values of the Shapiro Administration haven't changed,\" Secretary Rowe said, adding that state law requiring IEPs remains in effect and that PDE is seeking clarification from the U.S. Department of Education where federal executive orders or \"Dear Colleague\" letters have introduced uncertainty.

Rowe told committee members PDE will examine the impacts of any changes and provide guidance where possible. She said the department would \"take stock of all of the conversations\" and issue additional specificity when federal direction is clarified.

When Representative Salisbury asked whether the Commonwealth could make up for significant losses in federal IDEA funds, Rowe said PDE would develop contingency plans. \"Needless to say, if $600,000,000 in IDEA funds failed to flow to the state, that would cause irreparable harm,\" she said.

On remedies at the state level, Rowe said parents and guardians can pursue district-level processes, and that due-process and procedural rights listed on district forms include contact information for PDE for further remedy. \"They can certainly speak with their school district and ... in that there is contact information for the department so that they can seek a remedy,\" she said.

Ending: PDE told lawmakers it is tracking federal developments, will request clarification from the U.S. Department of Education, and would issue guidance and contingency planning if federal funding or rules change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee -- February 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Salisbury asked the Pennsylvania Department of Education at the Feb. 24 hearing what to tell parents worried that IEPs and 504 accommodations could be unenforced if federal guidance or funding changes.","taxTitle","Appropriations, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29233,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313737,"Lawmakers Press PDE on Cyber-charter Finances and Proposed $8,000 Reimbursement Cap",6407,593000,7000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2&start=593&end=7000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2/thumbnail_593000.jpg","/articles/6313737/Pennsylvania/Lawmakers-Press-PDE-on-Cyber-charter-Finances-and-Proposed-8000-Reimbursement-Cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313737-282a78b0f056c699c5eadc42c3112bc8/orig.mp4?Expires=1776057908&Signature=VgiylzgAC7wiy773QB3RRXUPpWBOio4RkBnX3HqoNUu66G50R9cm3hkkDNbYSdB31e~7AKnQiNU6WXXnXlSWAenF7AEyxOuBYQ~M4Hqb5GM3Xx6BDqTfVrhx2pwIuiE-hqgyvVflG-s9KtIKN7OKfpO7IxYXTlCNjrMJl6w3VfEg6yadRjrnhcBvzfjlwHUruIVRdpMnMinGADayt0mVV3DvxJFmg5vYQcIodQSuprN2p9Nv630rBApKtxedJDspP~hcU-4KffyuqrmOcWzbFH2OPtZDCafsddwu53U9b6TKdUrYHG3Zom4SrtpzXMuijTEanSvlT-UGj6DecIgDuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers on the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee pressed the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Feb. 24 about a proposed $8,000 cap on cyber-charter reimbursements and findings in a recent Auditor General audit of five cyber-charter schools.

Committee members said the scale of revenue growth and reserves at several large cyber charters raises questions about oversight and whether state funding is delivering instructional value. Representative Schweier cited the Auditor General's cover letter and summarized that the audit found “potential for wasteful and or discretionary spending of taxpayer dollars that could go beyond the legislative intent of the charter school law.”

That audit, discussed during the hearing, reviewed Commonwealth Charter Academy, Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, Insight PA, PA Cyber, and Reach Cyber. Committee members quoted audit findings that the five cyber schools' combined revenue rose by about $425 million (about a 90% increase in the audited period) and that the schools accrued fund balances totaling roughly $619 million as of June 30 in the period described in the audit. One school, Commonwealth Charter Academy, reportedly moved $354 million from its general fund to a capital projects fund and spent about $196 million to buy or renovate 21 buildings during the audited period.

\"There aren't many [oversight tools], and all of our tools would come after the fact,\" Pennsylvania Secretary Rowe told the panel, describing PDE's authority as largely exercised during renewal reviews when audited financials and submitted data are examined. She said PDE can review appropriateness at renewal but cannot claw back expenditures made earlier.

Representative Cutler asked whether an $8,000 cap on cyber reimbursements would create perverse incentives for cyber schools to raise charges to that cap. Rowe replied the cyber reimbursement calculation is not an arbitrary charge set by cyber operators but is derived from allowable expenditures and completed on a state form (PDE-363), which determines tuition. \"A cyber school doesn't have the ability to change the amount; that is determined by the 363,\" she said. Committee members pushed back, asking whether schools could reclassify expenditures to raise future rates; Rowe said the state determines the allowable methodology and PDE can provide technical assistance and data to policymakers.

Several members noted very low standardized-test participation and proficiency rates reported for large cyber schools on the publicly available Future Ready PA index, and questioned whether the Commonwealth is \"getting what it pays for.\" Representative Schweier cited proficiency rates in single digits and low participation rates to argue for closer scrutiny.

Auditor General Tim DeFoor's report, as summarized in the hearing, flagged uncommon expenditures in cyber schools including staff bonuses, gift cards, vehicle payments, and fuel stipends, and signaled the potential for spending inconsistent with legislative intent. Lawmakers used those findings to argue for both financial controls and clearer accountability mechanisms.

Rowe and committee members agreed that cyber schools and brick-and-mortar charters occupy different fiscal positions: cyber operators reported much higher fund balances (one member said cyber schools had fund balances near 41% while districts averaged less than 8%). Rowe said that disparity, combined with the audit findings, suggests a need for legislative review and possible changes to charter law and funding rules.

Committee members asked PDE for more detailed data and for technical assistance to craft policy responses. Rowe said PDE was willing to provide data and noted that many of PDE's enforcement tools are exercised at renewal or after audited financial reports are filed.

Ending: Lawmakers pressed PDE for more data and suggested charter-law reforms; PDE said it will provide technical assistance, but several members said legislative change is needed to prevent perceived misuse of public funds and to align funding with student outcomes.","Members of the House Appropriations Committee questioned the Pennsylvania Department of Education about a proposed $8,000 cap on cyber-charter reimbursements, an Auditor General's audit of five cyber charters, and unusually large cyber fund balances that lawmakers said could indicate taxpayer funds are not reaching classroom instruction.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313717,"PDE Says Schools Should Review Policies as ICE Activity Near Campuses Is Reported",318,4092000,4410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2&start=4092&end=4410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2/thumbnail_4092000.jpg","/articles/6313717/Pennsylvania/PDE-Says-Schools-Should-Review-Policies-as-ICE-Activity-Near-Campuses-Is-Reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313717-048e7d5d3b5960bbed32113d51945787/orig.mp4?Expires=1776057908&Signature=YubhOaA2EaAmy~JgV3dl-svOU1tY5iekRztlTNXdBQ3hs32d81baMVCL61E3lWYC8WhIKHGyCx8-xg-tFZtB90OZnOB3e28eff8Ewd1p-bsnNG3S-SwNErD78JmgSf27LTw~kBCETrFH4b~AbjLp7VkdMZgNYMGp8pJq7lVMSHlV5vz07XuSrAEjoVn2c0uv~nbFZ1KA91Nby47Hb7yiti32q93l0fgcWQdgJtcMWoo5oVSo18zs0H0LjQypOG-G4OwIvUEIzpwohsX8XNx5rVTB-J19BtNeO8fD38xmrVLCSayw9~BHG6DG0c7fzMg-yoZFWqKH2Z0wXSI23KWesQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Guzman asked the Department of Education on Feb. 24 whether Pennsylvania's constitutional obligation to \"provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education\" includes undocumented children and what districts should do if ICE agents appear on or near campuses.

\"Yes,\" Secretary Rowe responded when asked whether the constitution requires the General Assembly to provide for public education. When asked whether migrant and undocumented children are entitled to the same benefits as U.S. citizens for education, Rowe said, \"Yes. It is.\"

On enforcement presence, Rowe said PDE had not received reports of ICE enforcement actions inside school buildings, though there were reports of activity in school vicinities. She advised districts to consult their solicitors and to review and adopt clear policies and procedures about how to handle law-enforcement presence, including how to proceed when law-enforcement presents with or without a warrant on campus. \"Schools would be advised to consider their policies and procedures as it relates to incidents like these to determine what specifically will happen when someone presents themselves with or without a warrant on school campus and how they should proceed at that time,\" she said.

Rowe noted that neither a Social Security card nor proof of citizenship is required to enroll a student in Pennsylvania schools. She pointed committee members to PDE's basic-education circulars for legal guidance on migrant and refugee student issues.

Ending: PDE told lawmakers the department's values remain unchanged: undocumented and migrant students are entitled to a free public education in Pennsylvania, districts should consult solicitors about on-campus enforcement encounters, and district policies and basic-education circulars provide current legal guidance.","Lawmakers asked whether undocumented and immigrant students remain entitled to public education and what guidance PDE provides on immigration-enforcement activity near schools; PDE said state constitutional obligations and departmental values have not changed and advised districts to consult legal counsel and their policies.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313722,"Lawmakers, DOE Officials Discuss School Safety, Discipline and Rising Violence Against Teachers",267,3103000,3370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2&start=3103&end=3370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2/thumbnail_3103000.jpg","/articles/6313722/Pennsylvania/Lawmakers-DOE-Officials-Discuss-School-Safety-Discipline-and-Rising-Violence-Against-Teachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313722-262742a37a30633e04dc1701b600a612/orig.mp4?Expires=1776057908&Signature=ZVhkl~SrWG97iqvMIjgF2WJWH9DqOjU7fwdin1ngeHEJVuDn6WwXeNFw9nVNWRdEbRwhBdFbw2MdAifxaUzSwTmKVtDM1HKxvqM6s7AK2BTdhF8EYJtzXQPP4qjBYZr7bdWj~i0jMbGlnf8-pQrUFWXBqjeEfz6Nxvnl6yrM1xyFtFmBH9mamwZQs8oPoZ-yTwjNTbH9Q8tA46nKOVAOrC8hR2XMBz~AgVVVNqyvbcb259Rlmad~ZiFOUPft35qW97lyohEJFZRDRi-gyR3dSrM~1yF8GypAIG93xH~nFvp41z~GNpx7G3gO53EIcyrIeldUfMG1yv9yyDMVExUoaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers raised concerns at the Feb. 24 appropriations hearing about teacher safety and the design of alternative education for disruptive youth (AEDY) programs after survey results and news reports of violence in schools.

Representative Nelson summarized several incidents and local reports, noting teachers have been physically assaulted and that many districts report rising in-school violence. He asked whether PDE would support changes to give districts more flexibility in responding to severely disruptive students.

\"What you describe is unspeakable,\" Secretary Rowe said, adding that the department shares lawmakers' concern and is willing to work with the legislature to identify supports or statutory changes. Rowe invited collaboration on potential changes to legislation to provide additional flexibility while protecting students' rights.

Lawmakers also raised the cost of outplacements for districts, which can reach tens of thousands of dollars per student, and asked whether returning to prior in-district interventions could be done safely and effectively. Rowe said PDE would work with lawmakers if they seek legislative changes to enable different local approaches, and pledged to consider supports for teachers and districts to reduce the need for expensive outplacements.

Ending: PDE expressed willingness to work with legislators on policy changes and supports to protect teachers and provide districts flexibility in serving disruptive students, while lawmakers signaled interest in revisiting statutory constraints.
","Following recent incidents and survey reports, lawmakers asked the Department of Education about supports for teachers, alternatives to outplacement, and whether state rules limit districts' ability to respond to disruptive students.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6313727,"Appropriations Hearing Focuses on Adequacy Funding, School Choice and Performance-based Proposals",5595,1295000,6890000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2&start=1295&end=6890","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2386941-86370e735734b520c681607dc3ca1de2/thumbnail_1295000.jpg","/articles/6313727/Pennsylvania/Appropriations-Hearing-Focuses-on-Adequacy-Funding-School-Choice-and-Performance-based-Proposals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6313727-f6999b2b9ce4cc4b6a9952962c448c07/orig.mp4?Expires=1776057908&Signature=IskrC8LqmVe5JmMaDl-P5LS0u97P8ztAXQNW-5ld3pX0fuR9dUcWS470axyt1TiiygAind-x7-uSSyoeY25A2OWa64YzP3trEZ2dMMv3ZvPtA1V66q0z7D~It5HaG1dN2DmR9C2ffpE2vtjYO7WcwKzpJGx~BHZaPogl4LaWPc~aq2Gx0~AL4b~FCvH2iExJAAqQGZsWYVo44iMRSyPD8Lxr2~oF3sXUJuD3pu5-~u~pFQUXKtOk-HqzPtJqicIT5AL7HJ1~Nyzpl2cEO~yfYwqCT7hmgNlsORyrTNiFg~owQ2dhkRbRZ6P7VTyik7gBFmVh1U4xET6QBEaUokkUoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Appropriations Committee pressed the Pennsylvania Department of Education on Feb. 24 over how the governor's budget proposes to close (or not close) the state's education adequacy gap and how parents should help students in low-performing schools.

Representative Krupa asked what action the budget takes to help students \"get out of failing schools and into schools that might serve them better.\" Secretary Rowe said the proposed budget focuses on directing funds to schools that need them most rather than removing students from low-performing settings. She explained school performance buckets follow federal ESSA definitions (comprehensive school improvement, additional targeted support and improvement, and targeted support and improvement) and Department data identifies the lowest 5% of schools across cyber, brick-and-mortar charter schools, and school districts as CSI schools.

Rowe said PDE can produce lists and counts on request; during the hearing she stated there were 163 schools in the lowest-performing bucket (134 district schools and 29 charter schools) and offered to provide enrollment figures from the Future Ready index.

On budget specifics, lawmakers raised several items: proposed \"ready-to-learn\" block grants (committee members noted an apparent increase in the current proposal compared with last year's level), a $75 million physical-plant line for facility improvements, and a proposed $60 million pot for higher-education performance-based funding. Rowe and the deputy secretary for higher education said the performance-based council has held public hearings and will use feedback and data to recommend legislative approaches for administering funds.

Representative Frio and others pressed for predictable, multi-year funding; Representative Struzzi cited prior increases and argued that while state funding has risen substantially over the past decade, outcomes have not improved commensurately. \"If we are seeing all these increases...that tells me something is not working within the system,\" Struzzi said. Rowe acknowledged that increased funding alone will not automatically close outcome gaps and said additional accountability and targeted strategy are needed.

On school-choice programs, Rowe said tax-credit scholarships (EITC) and the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) remain options for parents; she noted OSTC vouchers apply only to students eligible under the statute and that districts may choose whether to accept students using OSTC. Lawmakers observed large amounts of OSTC/EITC capacity remain unused; deputy officials said PDE and other agencies could confirm current subscription levels.

Ending: The hearing closed with requests for PDE to supply more data on school counts and enrollments, to provide technical assistance on performance and funding questions, and for the legislature to consider whether statutory changes are needed to meet the adequacy standard established by the courts.","Lawmakers and the Department of Education debated adequacy funding levels, proposals for performance-based higher-education funding, physical-plant grants, and options for students in low-performing schools, including OSTC and EITC programs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee Seeks Assurances on IEPs as Federal Education Funding and Guidance Remain Uncertain

Lawmakers Press PDE on Cyber-charter Finances and Proposed $8,000 Reimbursement Cap

PDE Says Schools Should Review Policies as ICE Activity Near Campuses Is Reported

Lawmakers, DOE Officials Discuss School Safety, Discipline and Rising Violence Against Teachers

Appropriations Hearing Focuses on Adequacy Funding, School Choice and Performance-based Proposals