Category: State Government Actions

PA House Passes Proposed 2026-27 Budget (April 17, 2026)

On April 14, 2026. the PA House passed HB 2400, the PA House Budget proposal. The bill contains nearly $700 million to help close long‑standing funding gaps among PA school districts. This is the third year of increased funding for Pennsylvania schools. All 102 House Democrats were joined by five Republicans to pass the budget with a 107-92 vote.

Nearly 80% of the budget’s expenditures are dedicated to just two state agencies: the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) with $21.9 billion and the PA Department of Education (PDE) with $20.6 billion. Roughly $1 billion of the increase to DHS will fund Medicaid increases, which Democrats said will shrink if the state increases the minimum wage from $7.25 per hour, which is the federal minimum, to $15 per hour.

The budget proposal now moves on to the PA Senate where Republican leadership has stated that the budget will not pass in its current form. Last year, disagreements between Senate Republicans and House Democrats over spending caused the budget to be passed 135 days past the June 30th deadline.

FY 2027 Budget Touts Increase in Special Ed. Funding, But Experts’ Warnings Dampen Enthusiasm (April 15, 2026)

Despite a proposed $539 million dollar increase over the FY 2026 budget, special education administrative organizations and disability rights advocacy groups say the federal spending plan zero funds and consolidates several programs for FY 2027, similar to the administration’s FY 26 proposal. Those changes would make states less accountable for provisions under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and would erode the services and supports that students, families and special educators rely on, they say.   

“While the budget includes a relatively small increase for IDEA, we can’t let that distract us from the big picture,” said Chad Rummel, executive director of the Council for Exceptional Children, in an April 10 email to K-12 Dive. “Proposed cuts to special education [programs], K-12 education, educator preparation, and education research, will cause significant harm for students and educators.”

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

PDE Provides Invitation to Submit Public Comment on Recess (April 13, 2026)

In his budget address to the General Assembly, Governor Shapiro called on the State Board of Education to develop recommendations for schools to guarantee recess for students. The State Board of Education has appointed an Ad Hoc Committee on Recess to review evidence-based best practices related to recess and to formulate draft recommendations for consideration by the Board. The Ad Hoc Committee held its first public meeting on April 7, 2026, and the Committee will meet again on May 1, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

The Ad Hoc Committee on Recess believes educational policy is best made in an open, public process where all perspectives are considered. As such, the Committee invites interested stakeholders to submit written comments on recess to further inform its deliberations on formulating draft recommendations. Written comments must be submitted to the State Board of Education office no later than April 28, 2026.

Comments may be submitted electronically to ra-stateboardofed@pa.gov or may be sent in hard copy to: State Board of Education, 607 South Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17120.

Individuals with disabilities are invited to submit public comments in alternative formats such as Braille or taped comments and by means of the telephone. Individuals with disabilities should contact Stephanie Jones, Administrative Assistant to the Board, at ra-stateboardofed@pa.gov or (717) 787-3787 to discuss how the Board may best accommodate their needs.

Flexible Instructional Day (FID) Program Application Is Now Available (April 11, 2026)

The Flexible Instructional Day (FID) program is available to public school entities to be used as an alternative approach to delivering instruction if a circumstance arises that prevents instruction in the customary manner.  Entities must have an accepted application to use FIDs.

The 2026-27 SY FID application can be found on the Future Ready Comprehensive Planning Portal (FRCPP).  The window opens on or prior to April 1 and closes on June 1.  A complete application includes either Board minutes or a Board President Affirmation Statement that attests to the fact that the Board reviewed and approved the application for submission so applicants are advised to add the approval of the application to an upcoming Spring School Board meeting agenda.

For a list of accepted FID programs along with the effective and termination dates, please visit our website. If you have an accepted FID application and it terminates on 6/30/26, then your entity would need to reapply during the window or you will lose the program for the 2026-27 SY.  You would be able to reapply in the future.

For questions about the FID program, please email RA-FID@pa.gov.

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.