On May 7, 2026, the PA State Board of Education (Board) held its 391st meeting at the PDE building in Harrisburg and via Zoom. The meeting began at 9:24 AM by Chairperson Karen Farmer White.
PA Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe’s report highlighted how PA is helping college students through the provision of resources that include such things as food, shelter, clothing, childcare, and financial assistance. She also reported on dual credit opportunities for students offered in high schools, at college campuses, or both. She also highlighted Kutztown University’s program that allows high school students to earn between 12-18 college credits and includes an education major track for prospective teachers. She concluded her report by informing attendees how the PA EmpowerU program is going to create videos that will help link high school students with college students to help allay fears or issues that freshmen may face.
Ms Amanda Hetrick provided the Board with recommendations by the Ad Hoc Committee on Recess. She also stated that comments from the public overwhelmingly supported the need to have recess. Comments whether recess time could be impinged upon for disciplinary or academic reasons were mixed, but supported the need for children to have recess. Comments also supported the opportunity for non-physical play and the need for freedom within the structure of recess.
The meeting’s action items included an item to approve recommendations by the Ad Hoc Committee on Recess. The recommendations included:
–Recess Policy: All Commonwealth schools must provide 30 minutes daily recess for grades K-5 (and grade 6 in shared buildings) with multiple flexibility provisions including non-consecutive periods, modified schedules, and up to 10 minutes may be withheld for academic support or discipline.
–Recess Definition: Recess defined as play-based learning emphasizing physical activity, social interaction, screen-free activities, and outdoor recreation when safe.
–Instructional Time: School entities may submit plans to PDE to count supervised recess as instructional time if it meets established requirements.
–Implementation Timeline: Schools afforded one school year to prepare if addressing staffing, supervision, or collective bargaining needs.
–Secondary Exploration: Ad Hoc Committee to continue exploring breaks for secondary students; PDE to survey current secondary break practices.
–PDE will create a repository of recess best practices on structured/unstructured models.
–PDE will conduct a survey on secondary student break practices to inform committee exploration.
Another action item was to announce the passing of former State Board of Ed. member James Agras, who served on the Board for 27 years and was an exceptional Board member and person.
All action items were unanimously approved by the Board.
