Category: News

Investments in Student Mental Health Improve Education Outcomes, Help More Students Succeed (April 16, 2026)

On April 15, 20256 Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe participated in a roundtable with students and staff at Pottstown Middle School to show how mental health supports implemented in the Pottstown School District have improved outcomes in student success across the school district.

Since January 2023, Pennsylvania has made available nearly $375 million to our schools to support student mental health and security needs, which is a piece of the nearly $3 billion increase the Shapiro Administration has made available to schools to give them the resources they need to create opportunity for every student to succeed.

In  the Pottstown School District, such funding was used to hire a coach focused on student mental health and wellbeing. That coach has helped students go from failing every class to getting good grades, being on track to graduate, and attend college. As a result, the school district has also seen a 90 percent decrease in problematic behaviors like skipping class, a 20 percent decrease in failing grades, and a 40 percent increase in regular attendance

Presently, Governor Shapiro has included another $111 million in his 2026-27 budget proposal for school safety and mental health supports. Thus far, under the Shapiro Administration more than 800 schools have expanded access to mental health services, and more than 200 counselors have been hired since 2023.

For more details on the Pottstown School District program, click here.

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.

USDE Prioritizes AI in Awarding Grants, New Rule Goes into Effect on May 13th (April 14, 2026)

As reported by K-12 Dive, a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) on April 13, 2026 will continue to push for artificial intelligence use in classrooms through newly finalized priorities and definitions for school districts and colleges applying for any of the agency’s discretionary grant programs. The rule claims it will support projects that aim to expand the understanding of AI or the appropriate and ethical use of AI in education and within its parameters proposals that call for integrating AI literacy skills into teaching and learning practices that improve student outcomes will be given more weight. 

Under the new rule, which takes effect May 13, other AI grant priorities for K-12 include proposals to:
-Expand age-appropriate AI and computer science education offerings in schools.
-Embed AI and computer science lessons into teacher preparation programs.
-Provide professional development for educators to integrate AI into their subject areas.
-Offer dual-enrollment credit opportunities for high schoolers to earn college credits or industry credentials in AI.
-Use AI to support K-12 services, including early intervention and special education, for students with disabilities and their families.
-Integrate AI-driven tools into classrooms for personalized learning and to improve student outcomes. For example, this could be through adaptive learning technology, virtual teaching assistants, tutoring or data analytics tools on student progress.
-Use AI to reduce time-consuming administrative tasks.
-Use AI for high-quality instructional resources, high-impact tutoring, or exploring college and career pathways.
-Implement AI tools to improve program outcomes.  

Some education technology leaders called for major changes to the proposed rule when issued last July, such as creating a separate additional funding stream for AI education initiatives. Although the USDE acknowledged those requests, it didn’t act on them when issuing the final rule.

For more 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.

PDE Investments in Migrant Education Helps Thousands of Students Each Year (April 13, 2026)

On April 9. 2026, PA Secretary of Education Dr. Carrie Rowe highlighted how, over the past three years, the Shapiro Administration has provided $3 million to help migratory learners across the Commonwealth access critical services like specialized after-school tutoring, summer programs, and in-home In fact, during the 2024-25 school year, Pennsylvania’s Migrant Education Program (PA-MEP) served nearly 7,000 children and youth, many of whom spoke Spanish as their primary language. That year, nearly 92 percent of 12th grade PA-MEP students graduated, and more than 60 percent of graduates planned to attend college.

PA-MEP assists local school districts in improving and coordinating the education of children of agricultural workers who have had their schooling interrupted. The program helps migratory children access the same opportunities as their peers who face fewer barriers by coordinating and supporting services that help their progress in school. PA-MEP aims to ensure that all migrant students achieve challenging academic standards, graduate with a high school diploma or obtain a General Education Diploma (GED), and are prepared for responsible citizenship, lifelong learning, and gainful employment. The U.S Supreme Court in Plyer v. Doe (1982) recognized that every child of school age is entitled to a public school education, regardless of actual or perceived immigration status. An essential part of this right is a safe and welcoming learning environment in which all children in the Commonwealth have equal access to a basic public elementary and secondary education.

Since its inception in 1966, the program has served more than 350,000 students from birth to age 22. PA-MEP was initiated after Pennsylvania farmers and growers requested state action to ensure safe childcare and education for children of agricultural workers. Pennsylvania is the only state with its own state funding for migrant education, which supplements federal funds allocated by the U.S. Department of Education.

Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry has a total economic impact of $132.5 billion annually, contributing $1 out of every $16 in the state’s gross domestic product, and supporting more than 600,000 jobs providing $32.8 billion in wages. The Commonwealth ranks first in the nation for mushroom production, and other top commodities include milk, chicken eggs, and broiler production.