Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB984

Introduced
8/27/25  

Caption

In pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements, repealing provisions relating to study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Impact

The amendments proposed by SB 984 aim to strengthen the enforcement of compulsory school attendance laws and ensure that students engaged in virtual instruction are held to similar standards as their peers in traditional settings. The law proposes various support mechanisms implemented by the Department of Education and Human Services aimed at preventing truancy and assisting students at risk of becoming habitually truant. By establishing clearer reporting mechanisms and penalties, the legislation intends to create a more accountable educational environment, particularly pertinent in the context of increasing enrollment in cyber charter schools. The expectations for attendance reporting and the associated support systems are positioned to significantly change how attendance matters are handled across Pennsylvania's educational landscape.

Summary

Senate Bill 984 is an act aimed at amending provisions related to attendance policies in charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools within the Pennsylvania public school system. Key features of the bill include the establishment of strict attendance policies that require online students to be visible during synchronous classes and to meet specific coursework benchmarks for asynchronous participation. The bill seeks to clarify the procedures when a student is identified as truant or habitually truant, ensuring that various entities, including parents and educational organizations, are notified promptly and that there are consequences for violations of attendance requirements. Furthermore, the bill outlines penalties for educational staff who falsify attendance records and mandates that all educational entities adhere to uniform reporting standards regarding student attendance to the state department.

Sentiment

The sentiment regarding SB 984 appears mixed. Supporters argue that the bill will lead to improved accountability and better educational outcomes for students, particularly in an era when online education is becoming more prevalent. These proponents see the measures as necessary to combat truancy effectively. Conversely, critics express concerns regarding the imposition of rigid standards on virtual learning environments and the potential for disproportionately punitive measures aimed at students and families who may already be facing significant challenges. The dialogue surrounding the bill reflects broader tensions in educational policy concerning equity, accessibility, and accountability in a changing educational landscape.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB 984 include the methods of enforcement and potential penalties for students deemed habitually truant, specifically the restrictions on transferring to cyber charter schools mid-year without judicial approval. Critics argue that these provisions could limit students' educational opportunities, particularly for those with extenuating circumstances that lead to truancy. The bill's reliance on strict attendance requirements and legislation addressing truancy prevention has raised debates on how best to balance the needs of the educational system with the realities faced by students and families dealing with absenteeism due to various social determinants.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB2197

In pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools.

PA HB338

In pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools.

PA SB570

Relating to an attendance policy adopted by public schools to prevent truancy.

PA HB2491

In pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided relating to transportation of pupils and for kinds of transportation and liability insurance; and, in charter schools, further providing for transportation.

PA HB1889

In pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided.

PA HB1714

In pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided.

PA SB77

In pupils and attendance, further providing for excuses from attending school.

PA SB315

An act 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 preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission and for minimum number of days or hours; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities; in intermediate units, further providing for staff; in certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and for State certificate fee reduction, further providing for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education and for postbaccalaureate certification, providing for assessment of basic skills, further providing for professional educator discipline fee and providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation, for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements and for study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction and for exceptional children and education and training; in student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2025-2026 school year and further providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students and for enrollment of students; in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts and providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; in interscholastic athletics accountability, further providing for council recommendations and standards; in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in career and technical education, further providing for capital reserve fund for approved purchases of equipment and facility maintenance, for career and technical education equipment grants, for Cosmetology Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program and for Barber Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program; providing for Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to State-related university performance-based funding model, further providing for prohibition on scholarship displacement at public institutions of higher education and providing for cooperation and for State scholarship renewals; in institutions of higher education, further providing for powers and duties of State Board of Higher Education, for definitions, for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting, providing for State-related University Performance Fund, for performance-based funding formula and for public accountability and further providing for agency duties, for grant priority and for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2025-2026; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, for extraordinary special education program expenses, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

PA HB2275

In pupils and attendance, further providing for exceptional children, education and training.

PA SB781

In pupils and attendance, further providing for definitions and providing for mental health days.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.