Bill > HB1535

This bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 to establish new guidelines for student grading, classification, and promotion, focusing primarily on performance standards for students in grades three through eight. The bill requires the Department of Education to establish individual student performance levels based on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) test, categorizing students' academic achievements as proficient, advanced, or requiring improvement. Students who are more than three years below proficiency in reading or four years below proficiency in mathematics may not be promoted to the next grade level unless specific conditions are met, such as developing an individual improvement plan with their parents or guardians that could include summer school, tutoring, or additional instruction. The bill also creates provisions for academic review committees to hear parental appeals, allows for alternative performance indicators, and provides exemptions for students with certain intellectual disabilities. Schools are required to identify students at risk of not achieving proficiency and implement academic improvement activities, with potential disciplinary measures for students who do not comply with these activities. The bill defines key terms like "department," "school entity," and "student" and will take effect 60 days after its passage.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1535