On July 30, 2026 he U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee plans to take up two bills next week that would prohibit the outsourcing of certain education programs from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to other federal agencies. One of them is a bipartisan bill that would prohibit interagency agreements for various K-12 and postsecondary activities. The other bill specifically addresses special education.
Under bill S. 5046, sponsored by Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the USDE could not transfer offices that oversee special education, postsecondary education, elementary and secondary education, and Native American education programs. The bipartisan bill would prevent federal agencies from using existing interagency agreements, contracting and transfer authorities to circumvent bans on interagency agreements
The other bill is the Special Education Administration Protection Act. Filed by Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., the bill would bar the USDE from outsourcing special education programming to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Cassidy, a physician, is chair of the Senate HELP Committee. The special education interagency agreement with HHS has been a source of much contention with opponents arguing that it would hurt services for children with disabilities. Neither bill addresses the USDE’s equally controversial Office for Civil Rights (OCR) interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
In addition. interagency agreements that were in effect on Feb. 1, 2025, would be exempt from the proposed bans under both bills.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has the responsibility to ensure that all local educational agencies (LEAs) providing services, whether directly or by contractual arrangements, administer special education services and programs that are compliant with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. To fulfill this responsibility, PDE has established administrative procedures for monitoring program implementation, including evaluating the appropriateness, effectiveness, and accountability of special education services and programs.
PDE has developed the schedule for compliance monitoring for the 2026-27 school year in which 129 school districts and charter schools of varying size across the Commonwealth will be monitored. The list of selected LEAs is included at the end of this Bulletin. Additional monitoring reviews, if deemed appropriate, may be designated as the school year progresses.
For the 2026-27 school year, the Cyclical Monitoring for Continuous Improvement (CMCI) process includes a combination of virtual and onsite components. Verification activities include digital and onsite reviews of student documents; studies of service delivery; and analysis of policies, procedures, and outcomes. This CMCI process will include:
Virtual Components
Facilitated Self-Assessment submitted by the LEA, and verification of the information reported in the Facilitated Self-Assessment.
Administrative and Exit Interviews
Parent and Teacher Interviews
On-Site Components
Student Sample File Review
Classroom Observations
Training for this monitoring process is designed as a series of web-based training modules. These modules will be available on thePaTTAN website via Schoology in late July. Relevant LEA personnel must complete the training and report date of completion to the chairperson by , 2026.
These training modules review the current monitoring process; Facilitated Self-Assessment submission; documents to be submitted; managing web-based documentation; and provide additional resources to assist LEA personnel prepare for the monitoring process. District superintendents, charter school chief executive officers, special education directors, and additional appropriate personnel at LEAs who will be monitored benefit from completing these training modules to familiarize themselves with the monitoring process.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation in complying with this federally mandated requirement. PDE recognizes the time and effort required by each LEA to successfully participate in these monitorings. The Chairperson assigned to each monitoring will contact the LEA for follow-up. Should you have any questions regarding the 2026-27 monitoring schedule included below, please contact Kelli Franklin at kfranklin@pa.gov.
2026-2027 SPECIAL EDUCATION CYCLICAL COMPLIANCE MONITORING SCHEDULE
School Districts and Charter Schools to be Monitored in 2026-2027
1030212523Bethel Park School DistrictSD, 2027 Courtney Verner 1030216033Carlynton School DistrictSD, 2027 Tyann Neal 1030219033Clairton City School DistrictSD, 2026 Courtney Verner 1030268523North Allegheny School DistrictSD, 2027 Tyann Neal 1030268733Northgate School DistrictSD, 2027 Tyann Neal 1030288333Steel Valley School DistrictSD, 2027 Tyann Neal 1030288533Sto-Rox School DistrictSD, 2027 Tyann Neal 1030241623Propel Charter School – PitcairnCS, 2027 Erik Leamon 1030234103Spectrum Charter School CS, 2026 Tyann Neal 1041036034Karns City Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerry Fitch 1043750034Mohawk Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerry Fitch 1043752034Neshannock Township School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerry Fitch 1043770034Union Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerry Fitch 1052013525Crawford Central School DistrictSD, 2027 Erik Leamon 1052565535Iroquois School DistrictSD, 2027 Erik Leamon 1052576025Millcreek Township School DistrictSD, 2027 Erik Leamon 1052597035Wattsburg Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Erik Leamon 1061612036Clarion Area School DistrictSD, 2027 William Ferko 1066162036Oil City Area School DistrictSD, 2027 William Ferko 1066186036Valley Grove School DistrictSD, 2026 William Ferko 1076549037Ligonier Valley School DistrictSD, 2027 Dawn Smith 1076563037New Kensington-Arnold School DistrictSD, 2026 Dawn Smith 1076575037Southmoreland School DistrictSD, 2027 Dawn Smith108 1114038Conemaugh Valley School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerri Hartman 1081120038Ferndale Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerri Hartman 1081122038Forest Hills School DistrictSD, 2026 Kerri Hartman 1085652038Meyersdale Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Kerri Hartman 1081163038Portage Area School DistrictSD, 2027Kerri Hartman 1085684048Turkeyfoot Valley Area School DistrictSD, 2027Kerri Hartman 1080780038Tyrone Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Kerri Hartman 1095303049Austin Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Nicole Cramer 1091227039Cameron County School DistrictSD, 2026 Nicole Cramer 11017100310Clearfield Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Nicole Cramer 11014800210State College Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Nicole Cramer 11017900310West Branch Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Nicole Cramer 10183340010Sugar Valley Rural Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Nicole Cramer 11131250311Huntingdon Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Todd Kehler 11201110312Bermudian Springs School DistrictSD, 2027 Jesse Zameroski 11267220312Eastern York School DistrictSD, 2027 Jesse Zameroski 11267650312Southern York County School DistrictSD, 2026 Jesse Zameroski 11228600312Tuscarora School DistrictSD, 2027 Jesse Zameroski 11267350012Lincoln Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Jesse Zameroski 11336130313Cocalico School DistrictSD, 2027 Todd Kehler 11336150313Columbia Borough School DistrictSD, 2027 Todd Kehler 11336170313Conestoga Valley School DistrictSD, 2027 Todd Kehler 11336260313Ephrata Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Todd Kehler 11336360313Lampeter-Strasburg School DistrictSD, 2027 Todd Kehler 11336440313Manheim Central School DistrictSD, 2026 Todd Kehler 11406110314Conrad Weiser Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Hayley Strong 11406200314Exeter Township School DistrictSD, 2027 Hayley Strong 11406400314Kutztown Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Alicia Erwine 11406550314Muhlenberg School DistrictSD, 2026 Hayley Strong 11406910314Wilson School DistrictSD, 2027 Hayley Strong 11521050315Big Spring School DistrictSD, 2026 Katelyn Prosser 11522175315Derry Township School DistrictSD, 2026 Katelyn Prosser 11550300415Greenwood School DistrictSD, 2027 Katelyn Prosser 11567460315Northern York County School DistrictSD, 2027 Katelyn Prosser 11550800315West Perry School DistrictSD, 2027 Katelyn Prosser 11619150316Central Columbia School DistrictSD, 2026 Mark Ishman 11660400316Lewisburg Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Mark Ishman 11660500316Mifflinburg Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Mark Ishman 11655710316Selinsgrove Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Mark Ishman 11649650316Shamokin Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Mark Ishman 11741420317Loyalsock Township School DistrictSD, 2026 Mark Ishman 11759600317Northern Tioga School DistrictSD, 2027 Mark Ishman 11708650317Towanda Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Mark Ishman 11958100319Blue Ridge School DistrictSD, 2027 Gina Giovannini 11935130319Carbondale Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Gina Giovannini 11958250319Elk Lake School DistrictSD, 2026 Gina Giovannini 11958450319Montrose Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Gina Giovannini 11935740219Scranton City School DistrictSD, 2027 Gina Giovannini 11964830319Wallenpaupack Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Gina Giovannini 11935502819Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence CSCS, 2026 Gina Giovannini 12048330220Easton Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Jill Condo 12048560320Pen Argyl Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Jill Condo 12045540320Pocono Mountain School DistrictSD, 2027 Jill Condo 12113500321Jim Thorpe Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Byron Wiley 12139401721Circle of Seasons Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Byron Wiley 12139333021Roberto Clemente Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Byron Wiley 12209135222Bristol Township School DistrictSD, 2026 Jill Condo 12209750222Neshaminy School DistrictSD, 2027 Jill Condo 12209346022Bucks County Montessori Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Jill Condo 12346360323Hatboro-Horsham School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12346380323Jenkintown School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12346450223Lower Merion School DistrictSD, 2026 Carey Zeigler 12346560223Norristown Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12346337023Souderton Charter School CollaborativeCS, 2027 Stacey Mears 12415200324Downingtown Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Byron Wiley 12415650324Octorara Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Byron Wiley 12415335024Renaissance Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Stacey Mears 12523123225Chester-Upland School DistrictSD, April, 5, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12523760325Radnor Township School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12523945225Upper Darby School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12523965225William Penn School DistrictSD, 2027 Carey Zeigler 12523682725Chester Charter Scholars Academy (aka CCSA)CS, 2026 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio / Shana Bailor 126515001B26Philadelphia Learning Network 3Network, 2027 Karen Newsome 126515001D26Philadelphia Learning Network 7Network, 2027 John Murphy 126515001H26Philadelphia Learning Network 14Network, 2027 Dawn Keifer 18551552326Boys Latin of Philadelphia Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio 12651344026Esperanza Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 12651156326Esperanza Cyber CSCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 12651345026Franklin Towne CHSCS, 2027 Stacey Mears 12651338026Global Leadership Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Stacey Mears 18251456826Keystone Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Stacey Mears 12651405926KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School CS, 2027 Stacey Mears 12651348026Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio 12651964426Mastery Charter School – Cleveland ElementaryCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 15151472126Mastery Charter School – Pickett CampusCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 12651002226Mastery Charter School – Shoemaker CampusCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 12651002326Mastery Charter School – Thomas CampusCS, 2027 Shana Bailor 12651342026New Foundations Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio 12651000426People for People Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Shana Bailor 12651340026Philadelphia Performing Arts Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio 10851510726Southwest Leadership Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Dawn Keifer/ Shana Bailor 12651569126The Philadelphia Charter School for Arts and Sciences at HR EdmundsCS, 2027 Robin Wolfington-Halaycio 12651744226Universal Creighton Charter SchoolCS, 2027 Stacey Mears 12704070327Ambridge Area School DistrictSD, 2026 Kerry Fitch 12704150327Big Beaver Falls Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Dawn Smith 12704651727Baden Academy Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Kerry Fitch 12704343027Pennsylvania Cyber Charter SchoolCS, 2026 Dawn Smith 12803305328Freeport Area School DistrictSD, 2026 William Ferko 12803450328Leechburg Area School DistrictSD, 2027 William Ferko 12832110328River Valley School DistrictSD, 2027 William Ferko 12954450329Mahanoy Area School DistrictSD, 2027Haley Strong 12954500329North Schuylkill School DistrictSD, 20 27 Haley Strong 12954760329Tamaqua Area School DistrictSD, 2027 Haley Strong
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On July 22, 2026, special education professionals and advocates warned that moving special education functions out of the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) would be detrimental to students with disabilities. Citing the likelihood that the move would cause disparities in services across the states and reduce accountability measures, along with the risk that the guidance received from one agency and the guidance received from another agency would make it difficult to impossible to administer all applicable laws, were examples given expressing great concern. For instance, the recently announced interagency agreement between the USDE and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would move key responsibilities for special education formula and discretionary grants, compliance and monitoring, and annual state performance determinations to HHS. However, the USDE, would maintain statutory responsibility for the functions being outsourced.
CEC and CASE officials also say the level of funding proposed in the FY 2027 budget is not enough to address the needs in the field, such as severe teacher shortages, growing demands for student mental health services, and year-over-year increases in special education enrollment. In 2024, about 8.2 million students ages 3-21 qualified for IDEA Part B school-aged services, which was a 3.8% increase compared to the year before.
In response to the accountability requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 2004 (IDEA) Part B State Performance Plans, the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN) and intermediate unit transition consultants will provide sustained professional development for targeted local educational agencies (LEAs). This targeted professional development will assist with creating compliant and effective individualized secondary transition programming for students with disabilities.
The requirements for each LEA assigned to the 2026-2027 Preparing for Cyclical Monitoring: A Focus on Secondary Transition training are as follows: -Develop an administrative team to support the targeted training and technical assistance process. The administrative team is required to attend the webinar, What LEAs Need to Know About The Secondary Transition Cyclical Monitoring Schoology Course, on September 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Administrative team members need to register in advance for this training on the PaTTAN Training Calendar, using the link: PaTTAN – Session-42664. -Assign a lead contact person to complete an interview/survey regarding effective practices for secondary transition as facilitated by an intermediate unit and/or PaTTAN consultant. The lead contact will work with IU Transition TaC/PaTTAN consultants to develop and implement a local training plan for the 2026-2027 school year. •Identify targeted staff (i.e., special education directors, building principals, transition coordinators, special education teachers, speech/language therapists, school counselors, school psychologists, career tech ed staff, and other LEA staff involved in secondary programming) who will be required to complete an online Schoology course and targeted staff to participate in IEP pre-reviews using the PA Indicator 13 checklist, complete IEP post-reviews, participate in coaching activities as warranted with IU Transition TaC. •Identify and ensure all targeted staff complete the required online Schoology course, Preparing for Cyclical Monitoring: A Focus on Secondary Transition Planning and IEP Development, between September 11, 2026, and February 26, 2027. ‣Step 1- Registration for Act 48 and the Schoology course directions can be found on the PaTTAN Training Calendar, using this link: PaTTAN – Session-42668. *All assigned staff must individually register on the PaTTAN Training Calendar using the registration key: IND13-2026 in order to receive 6 Act 48 credit hours and directions to register for the Schoology course, Preparing for Cyclical Monitoring: A Focus on Secondary Transition Planning and IEP Development. ‣Step 2- On September 11, once assigned staff have completed Step 1, an email will be sent with directions on how to access the Schoology course, Preparing for Cyclical Monitoring: A Focus on Secondary Transition Planning and IEP Development and the access code for each LEA’s region. If directions are not received via email after registering on the PaTTAN Training Calendar, please contact Administrative Assistant, Kristen Olszyk at kolszyk@pattanpgh.net. ‣Step 3- Upon receiving the directions for the Schoology course and the access code for your LEA’s region, assigned staff must join their region’s Schoology section and complete the required course.
For questions concerning the Preparing for Cyclical Monitoring: A Focus on Secondary Transition training for 2026-2027, contact PaTTAN Educational Consultants, Darla Bryant at dbryant@pattan.net or Stephanie Ruby at sruby@pattan.net.
On July 10, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) issued a Dear Colleague letter to states and school districts reminding them of their responsibilities to protect students rather than engage in the practice, which it called “a troubling and recurring pattern in schools” nationwide. In addition, on the same day the USDE announced it was opening 20 targeted investigations into schools that the it suspects of “passing the trash” based on their responses to the 2023-24 Civil Rights Data Collection.
According to the Dear Colleague letter, 35 states lacked laws banning the suppression of information regarding employee sexual misconduct in termination, resignation, and severance agreements as of 2022. And 40 states didn’t prohibit expunging such information from personnel files.