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PA HB778

PA HB778
In professional employees, providing for Pre-K Teacher Salary Supplement Pilot Program.


summary

Introduced
03/03/2025
In Committee
03/03/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in professional employees, providing for Pre-K Teacher Salary Supplement Pilot Program.

AI Summary

This bill establishes the Pre-K Teacher Salary Supplement Pilot Program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to address salary disparities for pre-kindergarten teachers. The three-year pilot program aims to bring pre-K teacher salaries in line with elementary school teachers' salaries by selecting eligible pre-kindergarten programs based on specific poverty criteria. The department will compare the salaries and qualifications of pre-K teachers with those of kindergarten through fourth-grade teachers in the same school district, and then provide a subsidy to increase pre-K teacher salaries to match equivalent public school district rates. Eligible programs must be either school district-run pre-K programs with at least a 20% poverty rate or non-district programs in census tracts with median poverty levels at or below 80% of the statewide median. The department is required to establish implementation guidelines, collect data, submit a comprehensive report to the General Assembly after one year, and seek funding from federal, state, private, or other sources. Participating pre-K programs must provide necessary salary information and prove that received funds are used exclusively for increasing teacher salaries. The pilot program includes provisions for recovering misused funds and aims to provide recommendations for potential improvements to the program.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (30)

Last Action

Referred to Education (on 03/03/2025)

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