On May 3, 2023, the PA State Board of Education met at the PDE offices and via Zoom. Highlights of the meeting included reports from the School and University Safety Committee, Acting Ed. Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin, and CTE Director Dr. Lee Burket.

Nathan Barrett reported on behalf of the School and University Safety Committee. He reported that after reviewing stakeholder comment, the committee decided that no amendments will be added to the PA School Code reporting requirements for school safety incidents. Thus, the discretionary notification requirements will remain as is. However, the committee is requesting that PDE provide guidance to help support school administrators regarding the notification of law enforcement of reportable incidents with a focus on clarifying definitions of such offenses.

Dr. Mumin reminded everyone of Teacher Appreciation Week, which occurs next week. He also announced that $6.7 million in grant funding has been awarded to 100 school entities to enable more high school students to enroll in dual credit programs across the Commonwealth, giving them more opportunities to chart their own course and prepare for successful careers. Dual credit programs improve student outcomes—helping learners prepare for college and setting them up for future success in higher education—by enabling them to take college courses and earn credits for both high school and college. Dr. Mumin stated that dual credit offerings improve academic achievement, high school graduation rates, college enrollment, and college completion rates. Awardees will use up to $75,000 in grant funding to create or expand equitable and innovative dual credit opportunities for all secondary school students, including students experiencing educational instability, students enrolled in career and technical education programs, low-income students, and historically underserved student groups.

Dr. Mumin also reported that $1.5 million in grant funding has been awarded to 15 universities that partner with school districts to expedite the process for students to become a special education teacher and that the Shapiro Administration is committed to supporting and growing Pennsylvania’s educator workforce, especially in specialized and underserved areas like Special Education. In fact, these grants will expedite the process of becoming a certified special educator and enable more teachers to enter the field faster. He also stressed the importance of creating a robust pipeline of teachers to deliver instruction to all learners throughout the Commonwealth.

Dr Burket reported on the progress being made in putting together CTE performance levels, which will be provided the Board in early 2024 for submittal to the USDE in May 2024. She also reported that much work is being done by an eclectic group of entities to develop assessments for the CTE Educator Program of Studies in order for the program to become a CTE certified program.

Dr. Burket was also congratulated by the Board for her service to the Commonwealth as the Board extended its best wishes to her on her retirement.