Last week, the Pennsylvania Legislature recognized November 29, 2025 as the 50th anniversary of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, known as the IDEA, with House Resolution 370. Meant to ensure children with disabilities have access to a free appropriate public education, the IDEA and its predecessor laws changed the game for special education students and their IEP teams. On … [Read more...] about 50th Anniversary of the IDEA: Golden Milestone for Special Education
School Law Bullet
Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget: Key Impacts on Education
On November 12, 2025, after a prolonged impasse of over fourth months, Governor Shapiro signed the 2025-2026 Commonwealth budget into law, with total appropriations reaching $50.1 billion. Importantly for public schools, the budget delivers more than $900 million in education funding. While the delay threatened financial stability for many districts, the final budget includes major investments … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 Commonwealth Budget: Key Impacts on Education
Act 41 Amends School Code to Increase Eligible Candidates for CTE Certification
To address teacher shortages and maintain Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs for students across the Commonwealth, a recent amendment to the School Code recognizes veterans’ service experience for purposes of obtaining Career and Technical Instructional certification. Career and Technical Instructional Certification CTE programs provide students with a unique, hybrid education of … [Read more...] about Act 41 Amends School Code to Increase Eligible Candidates for CTE Certification
Virginia Teacher Shot By Student, Awarded $10 Million
In a civil action against an assistant principal, a Virginia jury awarded $10 million in damages to a former first-grade teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student. Garnering national attention, this case emphasizes the importance of school safety, timely reporting, and thorough investigations. Background in the Case On January 6, 2023, former first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, was … [Read more...] about Virginia Teacher Shot By Student, Awarded $10 Million
Court Orders School District to Pay $793,965 to Keep Charter School Open
On November 7, 2025, the Commonwealth Court held that Penn Hills School District must pay $793,965 to Penn Hills Charter School of Entrepreneurship by November 10, 2025, to fund its operations during the month of November in order to prevent its closure. Brief Background in the Case On November 4, 2025, the Commonwealth Court heard oral argument in Penn Hills Charter School of … [Read more...] about Court Orders School District to Pay $793,965 to Keep Charter School Open
New Law Expands Notification of Weapon Incidents
Under a recent amendment to the School Code, schools must now notify parents, certain school personnel, and PDE of incidents when a student is in possession of a weapon on school property. Under the current law, notification is required to law enforcement and to PDE where expulsion is involved. Covered School Entities The Act applies to school entities, private schools, and nonpublic schools … [Read more...] about New Law Expands Notification of Weapon Incidents
