Removing derogatory terms, making it easier for teachers to transfer to/from other states, and addressing dual enrollment calculations are among the varied legislation Governor Shapiro signed last week to update and improve various aspects of the Public School Code.
Act 33
Act 33, sponsored by Representative Harkins, updates language throughout the School Code to remove outdated and derogatory references to students with disabilities, bringing the terms used to describe children with disabilities current with federal eligibility categories and prevailing practice.
The changes include removal of words like “brain damage”, “crippled,” and “retarded” and inclusion of more accurate and current descriptors such as visually impaired, intellectually disabled, and brain injury.
Act 35
Act 35, sponsored by Senator Argall, adopts the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact. The ITMC is model legislation that was created as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The Compact will go into effect when at least 10 states have authorized it. With the passage of Act 35, there are 7 member states.
The purpose of the ITMC is to create an interstate framework for certified teachers to efficiently transfer their credentials if they move to a new state. The compact includes standard certification requirements but does not affect any state-specific security requirements such as background clearances.
Act 52
Act 52, sponsored by Representatives Kinsey and Cooper, addresses enrollment calculations for high school students that take college level coursework for purposes of state reimbursement.
Under existing law, public high schools are required to facilitate dual enrollment of students in college level courses. Act 52 provides that, retroactive to July 1, 2023, schools may count these dually enrolled students in their average daily membership counts for state reimbursement calculations.
Bottom Line for Schools
All these new laws promise to make things a bit easier for the complicated task of delivering public education.
School leaders with questions about any of these new Acts should contact their solicitor or one of the Education attorneys at KingSpry.
