Category: Government Actions

Trump Admin. FY 2027 Budget Proposal would Cut $8.5B from Targeted K-12 Programs (April 6, 2026)

On April 3, 2026, the White House released its fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027) budget proposal, which includes $8.5 billion in eliminations and consolidations for selected K-12 programs. It would also legislate the transfer of some responsibilities out of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

“The Budget puts the Department of Education (USDE), which has failed the Nation’s children, teachers, and families, on a path to elimination,” the budget proposal said.

As reported by K-12 Dive, the proposed budget requests $76.5 billion for the USDE for FY 2027, compared to an FY 2026 funding level of $79 billion. It would maintain Title I at $18.4 billion and increase special education funding by $539 million, but — similar to the president’s FY 2026 request — it calls for the elimination of some existing grants while consolidating others into single funding streams for states to distribute at their own discretion. It would also eliminate funding for English Language Acquisition.

For example, it proposes consolidating 17 K-12 grant funding streams worth $6.5 billion into a single grant, which the administration said would allow states to spend “based on their needs without Federal prescription.” 

It would cut 12 other programs, totaling $2.1 billion, including: 
-All $70 million for Teacher Quality Partnership grants, often used to diversify the teacher workforce.
-All $7 million for Equity Assistance Centers, established as part of desegregation efforts.
-All $890 million for English Language Acquisition, which helped districts support English language learners and which the budget said would “encourage bilingualism.” 
-All $50 million for the Comprehensive Centers program, which is authorized under ESEA and provides assistance to states and districts on improving instruction and closing achievement gaps.
-A $428 million cut to Migrant Education and Special Programs for Migrant Students, which supports immigrant students.

Many of the proposed cuts and consolidations are similar to those contained in the president’s budget request for FY 2026, much of which Congress ultimately scrapped. 

The proposal would also solidify into legislation the USDE’s efforts to shift career and technical education (CTE) programs and responsibilities to the U.S. Department of Labor. (DOL). While the USDE has already entered an interagency agreement that would do so, the budget request would officially move those programs under the DOL.

For more details from K-12 Dive, click here.

PDE Answers the Question: What is Structured Literacy? (April 1, 2026)

Structured literacy is a research‑based approach to teaching reading that aligns with the science of reading. It emphasizes clear, intentional instruction in the essential components of literacy. Structured literacy instruction is:
-Explicit – Skills are directly taught with clear explanations, modeling, guided practice, and immediate feedback.
–Systematic – Concepts are introduced in a logical sequence, moving from simple to more complex.
-Cumulative – New learning builds on previously taught skills, with regular review to ensure mastery and retention.
–Diagnostic and responsive – Instruction is informed by ongoing assessment. When needed, additional diagnostic tools are used to identify specific skill gaps, and instruction is adjusted accordingly.

Structured literacy ensures that every student has access to the foundational skills and tools needed to make meaning from print and confidently engage in all learning opportunities that literacy unlocks.

PDE’s Structured Literacy landing page provides a comprehensive collection of resources related to Pennsylvania’s literacy legislation, including Act 55 of 2022, Act 135 of 2024, and Act 47 of 2025, such as:

  • Evidence-Based Reading Professional Development List
  • Evidence-Based Reading Curriculum Materials List
  • Evidence-Based Reading Intervention and Supplementary Materials List
  • Implementation Guidance
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  • Reading Leadership Council resources
  • Structured Literacy eBook
  • Structured Literacy Program Framework Guidelines
  • Pennsylvania State Literacy Plan Toolkit

These resources—and many others—support LEAs, educators, and families in understanding and implementing structured literacy across Pennsylvania.

Information & Submissions for RISE Awards Open (April 1, 2026)

In March 2019, the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award was created to recognize and promote the commitment and excellence exhibited by full- or part-time classified school employees who provide service to students in Pre-K through high school. 

To learn more about who can be nominated and how to nominate someone, please visit the RISE Award webpage. The 2026 Nomination period opened on February 1.

Nominations can be submitted until August 30, 2026.

PDE Releases Info on Comprehensive Plans for Phase 1 and Phase 2 LEAs (March 27, 2026)

Comprehensive Plan for Phase 1 LEAs is Due March 31st, 2026
The Comprehensive Plan for Phase 1 LEAs are due on March 31, 2026. The report can be completed within the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal (FRCPP). Resources and a copy of the Master Phase list can be found under the resources area in FRCPP.

For questions regarding Comprehensive Planning please contact RA-EDFRCPP@pa.gov.

Comprehensive Plan for Phase 2 LEAs is Now Available
The Comprehensive Plan for Phase 2 LEAs is now live. The report can be completed within the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal (FRCPP).The due date for this report is March 31, 2027.  Resources and a copy of the Master Phase list can be found under the resources area in FRCPP.

For questions regarding Comprehensive Planning please contact RA-EDFRCPP@pa.gov.

Shapiro Administration Reduces Emergency Waitlist for Intellectual Disability and Autism Services by 31%, Secures Lowest Direct Support Worker Vacancy Rate in 11 Years (March 26, 2026)

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh recently shared the Shapiro Administration’s continued commitment to Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). In fact, Governor Shapiro’s proposed 2026-27 budget builds on significant progress his Administration has made to eliminate emergency waiting lists for adults through the multi-year program growth strategy.

Since the Governor’s historic investment of $354.8 million in federal and state funding secured in the 2024-25 budget, there has been a 31% reduction in the ID/A adult emergency waiting list for services. Approximately 42,000 Pennsylvanians currently receive services in their home and community. An essential part of this strategy includes targeted investments in the direct support professional (DSP) workforce who serve the ID/A community. Investments in service rates are enabling providers to increase wages and support recruitment efforts, leading to the lowest job vacancy rate for DSPs since 2015.

To continue this progress, Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 proposed budget invests $30 million of state funding and $36.2 million of federal funding to expand home and community-based program capacity for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. The additional funds will help enroll up to 1,625 new individuals in home and community-based Medicaid waiver services.

Through the multi-year growth strategy, DHS has shifted away from setting capacity in programs by numbers or “slots” and instead sets capacity by an overall budget-based system. This allows counties long-sought flexibility to make decisions based on local needs and not a pre-determined set amount of slots.

Expanding Opportunity for all Pennsylvanians
Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has met with families, advocates, and service providers across Pennsylvania to understand the challenges facing the ID/A community. Through historic investments, innovative partnerships, and close collaboration with the disability community, Pennsylvania is moving in the right direction. 

The Governor’s commitment extends beyond ID/A services to broader disability inclusion and workforce opportunities. In 2024, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) placed 6,000 Pennsylvanians with disabilities in jobs at more than 3,500 businesses. At First Lady Lori Shapiro’s encouragement, employers like Sheetz and Wawa are partnering with OVR to expand access to good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. OVR also launched the MY Work program in Allegheny County in 2016 and since expanding it statewide in 2021 has connected more than 2,500 high school students with disabilities to paid summer jobs — including over 500 this summer at 100 worksites in 57 counties — building skills, confidence, and career readiness.

Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal builds on this progress by:
-Sustaining historic ID/A funding to continue reducing the emergency waitlist by a projected 1,625 people; and
-Investing $1 million in new funding for OVR to serve more Pennsylvanians with disabilities.

Through these historic investments and this continued commitment, the Shapiro Administration is delivering meaningful change for Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism and building a stronger system of care that values workers who make it possible for people to live with more independence, supports families, and ensures more people can access the services they need. The Shapiro Administration will continue working alongside advocates, providers, and community partners to expand opportunity, strengthen the care workforce, and make sure every Pennsylvanian can live with dignity, independence, and respect.

Click to learn more about Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 Budget proposal.