House Education Committee Takes Testimony on PA CORE Standards and Keystone Exams
HARRISBURG – The House Education Committee met this week to hold a public hearing and take testimony from witnesses on House Bill 177 and House Bill 168. Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) and committee members heard from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, Pennsylvanians Restoring Education, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the Pennsylvania School Board Association and the Pennsylvania Business Council.
“The Education Committee’s first public hearing of the 2015-16 session afforded a lot of good discussion and questions from members on the legislation in question,” Saylor said. “It is my goal as chairman to ensure that legislators and the public are thoroughly informed on the business of this committee as ensuring our children receive the best education possible is a critical issue throughout the Commonwealth.”
House Bill 177, sponsored by committee member Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) would create the Academic Standards Commission to study and offer recommendations to the General Assembly, Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the State Board concerning the Pennsylvania Core Standards.
“I want to thank Chairman Saylor and my fellow members of the Education Committee for holding this hearing,” Grove said. “The commission which would be formed through House Bill 177 is essential that we have a review of academic standards to ensure student achievement across the Commonwealth. It is important that the educational leaders in our communities, including teachers, administrators, business managers and community leaders, help shape our state’s future education system.”
House Bill 168, sponsored by committee member Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill/Dauphin) would eliminate the development and implementation of the seven pending Keystone Exams. It would also ensure local control by allowing each school district to determine whether Keystone Exams will be used as a graduation requirement if they believe it is in the best interests of their students and education plan.
Representative Stan Saylor
94th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
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