On May 8, 2025, the PA State Board of Education held its 385th meeting at the PDE offices and via Zoom. Chairperson Karen Farmer White opened the meeting, whereby a number of committee reports were heard by the Board.
Sandra Dungee Glenn reported on behalf of the Teacher and School Leader Effectiveness Committee. She delivered the CTE Program of Study Report, which highlighted the new CTE Pathway program for teaching. Currently, 30 schools from 19 counties are operating programs and another 30 have applied for programming. She also reported that it is too early to determine program effectiveness. Although there is not yet enough data, data points have been identified as well as initial baseline data. She also reported on a informational session that was previously held on the assessment of educator certification programs.
A report was also given by the Higher Education Transfer of Authority Committee. That report spoke of the delineations of responsibilities between the newly-formed PA State Board of Higher Ed. (SBHE) and the State Board of Ed. It was recommended that one body, the State Board, would have responsibility for the comprehensive Master Plan. The oversight of teacher prep programming would also remain with the State Board of Ed. The SBHE would handle policies, procedures, research, building projects, campus management, and similar functions specific to higher ed. The committee also stressed the importance of communication between the two parties to ensure they are in sync and that a joint meeting be held at least annually. The State Board of Ed. would also retain its investigative capabilities, its involvement in funding with regards to SBHE and PDE, and certification standards.
Next, in her report, PA Ed. Sec. Dr. Carrie Rowe announced that Amy Lena is now the Deputy Ed. Sec. for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Ed. She the reported on the impact of funding cuts on the federal level, beginning with the cut to Museum and Library Services grants, which provide for Power Library and the PA Interlibrary Loan system. She also spoke about the 4/11/25 U.S. Department of Ed. (USDE) communiqué to LEAs on immigration, as well as and best practices related to “sensitive locations” and how schools use policies and procedures in handling issues with ICE. In addition, Title VI directives from the USDE have required SEAs and LEAs to certify compliance with Title VI, but also request the completion of a form to be signed and submitted; however, PA did not do so and instead sent a letter. Dr. Rowe also briefly touched upon a lawsuit filed in federal court by Gov. Shapiro regarding the withholding of ESSER funds and resulting in a preliminary injunction in favor of the plaintiffs. Thus, she is urging LEAs to submit receipts for reimbursement.
Following Dr. Rowe was a report by Dr. Kate Shaw from the State Board of Higher Ed. on the state’s strategic plan for high education, which will eventually become part of the State Board of Ed.’s Basic Ed. Master Plan.
State Board Chair Karen Farmer White informed those present of the issues that arose with the use of PA Cast as the virtual meeting platform since it does not allow for the necessary two-way communication for virtual attendees. Zoom allows for such and. The Board will continue to consult with legal counsel to spoke ensure compliance with the Sunshine Act.
In action items, the Board unanimously moved to accept the Report on the Career and Technical Education Program of Study in Education. It also unanimously approved, with minor modifications, a motion to transfer responsibility of specific items to the SBHE and to keep other specified items within the oversight of the State Board of Ed. The items thus mentioned were contained within the earlier report by the Higher Education Transfer of Authority Committee.