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    School Code PK-12 Implementation Guide

    Not Legal Advice. Please be aware that this Implementation Guide is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.  Please consult your Solicitor regarding your duties and obligations under the School Code. 

    Phase 1: Immediate (Now–January 2026)

    Action

    Full Details

    Effective Date

    Section 511.1

    If a public or nonpublic school collects a fee for admission to a school-sponsored activity, cash must be accepted as a form of payment for admission.

    • Schools may refuse to accept payment that is in a denomination significantly exceeding the amount of the fee.

    Immediate

    Section 1201

    Certificates Qualifying

    Persons to Teach

    Experience-Based Certificate:

    • Intern Certificate is renamed Experience-Based Certificate (EBC).
    • Terms of all EBCs are extended from three years to five years.

    Immediate

    Section 1204.2

    Career and Technical Instructional Certificate

    Experience-Based Certificate (Career and Technical):

    • Extends the time that individuals with a Career and Technical Experience-based Certification have to complete the required 18 credit hours of CTE preparation coursework from three years to five years; and
    • Allows individuals pursuing the Career and Technical Experience-based Certification and the Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate to demonstrate occupational competency based on a review of their credentials and work experience, regardless of whether an occupational competency exam exists.

    Immediate

    Section 1202.2

    Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and Age Levels

    The grade spans and age levels for Instructional Certificates shall be as follows:

    • Primary – prekindergarten, kindergarten, grades 1 through 6 or ages 3 through 11
    • Secondary – grades 7 through 12 or ages 11 through 21
    • Specialized areas – prekindergarten through grade 12 or ages 3 through 21
      • Immediately allows educators holding a PK-4 certificate to teach 5th and 6th grade.
      • Immediately allows educators holding a 7-12 secondary school certificate to teach 6th grade in the subject area for which the secondary certificate is endorsed.
      • Requires PDE to develop alternative pathways for teachers with an elementary/middle instructional certificate to expand the scope of their current certificate to include the secondary grades through add-on testing or professional development. More information to follow.

    Immediate

    Section 913-A

    IU Staff

    IU Assistant Executive Director and Executive Director:

    • Individuals holding a Letter of Eligibility or Commission Qualification Letter (CQL) may be employed to serve as an IU Executive Director or IU Assistant Executive Director.

    Immediate

    Section 1221

    Career and Technical Administrative Director Certification Flexibility

    CTE Director:

    • School districts, CTCs, charter schools or IUs with at least three PDE-approved CTE programs may hire a superintendent to serve as a Career and Technical Administrative Director when there is a vacancy, and the superintendent meets one of the following requirements:
      • Has a minimum of three years of relevant CTE experience;
      • Completed a PDE-approved postbaccalaureate program that prepares the individual to lead CTE in a school; or
      • Agrees to complete a CTE leadership program within three years.

    Immediate

    Section 1725.1-A

    Cyber Charter Funding

    • A cyber charter school student’s school district of residence is responsible for the statutorily set tuition rate.
    • The nonspecial education tuition rate is based upon the school district of residence’s selected expenditures per student. Selected expenditures are the total expenditures net of deductions for spending categories that cyber charter schools receive directly (e.g., federal funding), that are accounted for separately (i.e., special education), or that cyber charters are either not responsible for (e.g., pupil transportation) or prohibited from (e.g., pre-kindergarten).
    • The changes reduce the cyber charter nonspecial education tuition rate by adding additional spending category deductions for tax assessment and collection services, 60% of student activities, and 60% of operations and maintenance of plant services.
    • Nonspecial education cyber charter school costs and cyber charter school ADM are also excluded from the calculation.
    • PDE must make redirection payments based upon the most recently available rates required to be posted by the Department.
      • Note: A revised PDE-363 form will be available soon.

    Immediate

    Section 1748.1-A

    Cyber Charter Wellness Checks

    • Each cyber charter school must submit to PDE a wellness check policy that demonstrates compliance with the requirement that, at least once during each instructional week, the school must visibly see and communicate in real time with each of its students.
    • If a cyber charter school fails to comply with wellness check requirements, PDE may do the following:
      • Impose additional reporting requirements;
      • Mandate child abuse recognition and prevention training for staff;
      • Require the cyber charter school to meet in person with each student at least once during the following school year; and
      • Prohibit the cyber charter school from being awarded a State grant by PDE until the school demonstrates compliance.

    Immediate

    Section 1309-B

    School Safety and Security Coordinator

    • School safety and security coordinators must coordinate school safety and security meetings with school and building leadership at least quarterly; and by June 30 of each year, include in their annual safety report who attended the quarterly meetings.
    • School safety and security coordinators must complete the seven hours of training within one year of being appointed and annually, including continuing education requirements adopted by the School Safety and Security Committee.

    Immediate

    Section 1306-B

    School Safety and Security Grant Program

    Grants through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD):

    • $100 million for school safety and mental health grants.
    • $20.7 million for targeted school safety grants to school entities and nonpublic schools which shall be used to fund programs that address school violence and mental health.

    Immediate

    Section 133
    Minimum Number of Days and Hours for Employees

    Public schools are to provide students with a minimum of 180 days OR 900/990 hours of instruction. Act 47 of 2025 clarifies that employees must meet both day and hour requirements during a school year.

    Immediate

    Section 1333

    Procedure When Child is Truant

    Section 1333(A)(2.2)

    • A child who is habitually truant is prohibited from transferring, during the school year, to a cyber charter school unless a judge determines that the transfer is in the best interest of the child.
    • When a school notifies a parent/guardian that their child is truant, the notification must be in the mode and language of communication preferred by the person in parental relation and include:
      • Description of the consequences that will follow if the child becomes habitually truant;
      • Notice that a child who is habitually truant may not transfer, during the school year, to a cyber charter school unless a judge determines that the transfer is in the best interest of the child;
      • Resources to assist the child with returning to compliant compulsory school attendance;
      • The offer of a school attendance conference (may include).

    December 12, 2025

    Section 1303.2-A Parental and Employee Notification of Weapon Incidents

    School districts, charter schools, cyber charter schools, CTCs, IUs, private schools, and nonpublic schools are required to notify parents, guardians, and school employees of incidents involving the possession of a weapon on school property within 24 hours of the incident occurring.

    January 6, 2026

    Section 1333.2 Procedure Upon Filing of Citation

    (24 PS § 1333.2(i))

    If a judge enters a sentence for truancy after the completion of the school year, the penalties shall be limited to community service or completion of an attendance improvement plan.

    January 11, 2026

    Section 1748-A

    Cyber Charter Residency Verification

     

    Proof of Residency:

    • The parent/guardian of a student enrolled in a cyber charter school must submit:
      • continued proof of the student’s residence to the cyber charter school and the student’s school district of residence by November 1 and March 1 of each school year.
      • Note: Parents/guardians of homeless students are not subject to this requirement.

    Dispute of Residency:

    • School districts and cyber charter schools have ten days, rather than seven days, to send residency dispute notifications and responses.
    • A cyber charter school is prohibited from retaliating against an employee who has made a good faith report that a student does not reside within the school district that has been notified that it is the student’s school district of residence.
    • PDE must add proof of residency to the form notifying a school district of the enrollment of a resident student in a cyber charter school. Acceptable forms of proof of residency include:
      • A document containing the parent or guardian's name and address, on any of the following:
      • an active residential lease agreement or a mortgage statement no more than three months old;
      • a bank statement no more than three months old;
      • a utility or internet bill no more than three months old;
      • a tax bill no more than three months old;
      • an insurance document no more than three months old;
      • any other document determined acceptable by the Department.
    • A school administrator, employee, or representative of an educational entity who knowingly falsifies data reported to PDE shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.

    January 11, 2026

    Section 1301-D Intent; Section 1302-D Definitions 

    (Safe2Say Something Program)

    • Changes the name of the “Safe2Say Program” to “Safe2Say Something Program”.
    • Requires the Office of the Attorney General to develop a Safe2Say Something training program for school entities and to track trainings.

    January 11, 2026

    Section 1303-D

    Safe2Say Something Program

    • Requires the Office of the Attorney General to develop a Safe2Say Something training program for school entities and to track trainings.
    • Requires schools to develop a process for assessing, responding to, and disposing of reports within 30 days of receiving them and, for a life safety event, provide a final disposition within 48 hours.
    • Adds noncompliance provisions, including posting a list of noncompliant schools online and not allowing noncompliant schools to receive School Safety and Security Committee grant money.

    January 11, 2026

    Section 1333.3 Penalties for Violating Compulsory School Attendance Requirements

    (24 PS § 1333.3(j))

    If the court requires a student convicted of violating compulsory school attendance to perform community service or complete an attendance improvement course, program, or plan, the court shall retain jurisdiction of the matter until completion of the penalty.

    January 11, 2026

    Section 1327.2 Attendance Policy at Charter, Regional Charter, and Cyber Charter Schools

    • All charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools must explain in their attendance policies how they will accurately determine when a student has an unexcused or excused absence or is present for instruction.
    • Cyber charter schools must add the following to their attendance policies:
      • A policy to determine when a child has an absence or is present for synchronous instruction. To be present for synchronous instruction, a child must be present and visible to the teacher on camera during each synchronous instructional period for each course.
      • A policy to determine when a child has an absence or is present for asynchronous instruction. To be present for asynchronous instruction, a child must complete weekly benchmarks. The weekly benchmarks must be sufficient to demonstrate the student is making adequate and consistent progress toward completion of each course. If a student does not complete the weekly benchmark, the student shall receive an absence or other consequence in accordance with the cyber charter school’s attendance policy.

    January 11, 2026

    Phase 2: February–August 2026

    Action

    Full Details

    Effective Date

    Section 1503-N School Duties Related to Evidence-based Reading

    LEAs must report to PDE the reading instruction curricula they are using during the 2025-2026 school year. More information to follow.

    March 31, 2026

    Section 1333.1 Procedure by School When Child Habitually Truant

    (24 PS § 1333.1(a)(2.1), (2.2) and (c.1))

    Regardless of whether a child who is habitually truant transfers schools, the school in which the child is currently enrolled must provide an attendance improvement plan and pursue remedies to the child’s habitual truancy until the child is no longer truant or is no longer of compulsory school age.

     

    August 1, 2026

    Section 1333.5 Department Supports to Prevent Truancy

    PDE & Department of Human Services must develop best practices for student supports to prevent truancy and habitual truancy.

    August 1, 2026

    Section 1339 Reports to Secretary of Education

    School entities must report information related to student attendance and PDE must post reports related to the enforcement of compulsory attendance quarterly.

    August 1, 2026

    Section 1327.2 Attendance Policy at Charter, Regional Charter, and Cyber Charter Schools

     

    • All charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools must report all unexcused absences to PDE via PIMS.
    • Cyber charter schools must submit information related to the completion of weekly benchmarks annually through PIMS. For students who have been found to be truant or habitually truant, cyber charter schools must submit this information monthly.

    August 1, 2026

    Phase 3: SY 2026–27

    Action

    Full Details

    Effective Date

    Section 1617 Free Application for Federal Student Aid

    Beginning with the Class of 2027, students must submit a FAFSA or opt-out form. Schools may not withhold graduation based on FAFSA status.

    SY 2026–27

    Phase 4: SY 2027–28

    Action

    Full Details

    Effective Date

    Section 1202.2 Instructional Certificate Grade Spans and Age Levels

    • Educator preparation programs must ensure all new candidates are pursuing the new certification bands.
    • Educator preparation programs may permit an individual enrolled in a program prior to July 1, 2028, and remain continuously enrolled, to complete the program for the current grade level limitations.

    July 1, 2028

    Section 1503-N School Duties Related to Evidence-based Reading

    LEAs must do the following:

    • Adopt an evidence-based reading curriculum - a comprehensive program of literacy instruction that integrates Structured Literacy practices with High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM).  Such a curriculum:
      • Aligns with the Pennsylvania Standards and the Science of Reading;
      • Includes a logical scope and sequence for explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction; and
      • Incorporates phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, decoding, encoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and building content knowledge.
    • Identify a lead educator to assist each school with implementing the new curriculum.
    • Approve professional development training from the list developed by PDE in consultation with the Reading Leadership Council. Professional development that is aligned with academic standards and the Science of Reading includes evidence-based intervention practices in Structured Literacy, explicit and systematic instruction in phonological and phonemic awareness, the alphabetic principle, decoding and encoding, fluency and vocabulary, reading comprehension and building content knowledge.
    • Demonstrate that each educator is in the process of completing the approved professional development by the beginning of the 2028-2029 SY.

    SY 2027–28

    Section 1504-N

    Universal Reading Screener

    LEAs must screen K-3 students for reading competency three times per school year (beginning, middle, and end of school year) using a universal screener chosen from the list developed by PDE. Students with limited English proficiency, students with disabilities, and gifted students must be screened unless assessment conflicts with their IEP. A universal reading screener is an assessment tool given to all students in order to determine if a student is at risk for developing reading difficulties.

    SY 2027–28

    Section 1505-N Reading Deficiency ID/Notification

    If a student is identified by a screener as having a reading deficiency using at least three data points, the following apply:

    • The student shall remain identified as having a reading deficiency until the student performs at or above an identified threshold level;
    • LEAs must notify parents of kindergarten students who exhibit a reading deficiency in the third screening at the end of the school year; and
    • LEAs must notify parents of 1st through 3rd grade students who exhibit a deficiency in reading during the school year after the identification of the reading deficiency.

    SY 2027–28

    Section 1506-N Reading Intervention Plans

    LEAs must provide a reading intervention plan for each student identified as having a reading deficiency.

    SY 2027–28

    Section 1509-N Reporting

    LEAs must submit annual literacy reports each year, including curriculum, PD completion, and screening data.

    Effective July 31, 2028, and recurring annually on July 31

    Phase 5: Full Compliance (2028–29)

    Action

    Full Details

    Effective Date

    Section 1503-N School Duties Related to Evidence-based Reading

    Educators must complete the professional development program training from the list developed by PDE in consultation with the Reading Leadership Council.

    SY 2028–29

    Phase 1: Immediate Implementation (July 2026)

    Provision

    Summary

    Effective Date

    Section 1511.2
    Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy

    The new law establishes the Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy in state law.

    PDE must establish criteria and a toolkit for school entities to award the Seal to graduating high school students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other world language. For the purposes of this law, a school entity is a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter school, or regional charter school.

    Beginning with SY 2026-27, school entities that award the Seal of Biliteracy:

    • Must note the Seal on the student's high school transcript if the student meets the criteria; and
    • Report data for the prior school year to PDE beginning October 31, 2027, and by October 31 each year thereafter.

    PDE must submit an annual report on the efficacy of the seal to the General Assembly beginning December 1, 2027.

    SY 2026-27

    Section 1327.2
    Cyber Charter Attendance

    A cyber charter student who does not complete the required weekly benchmark shall receive an absence under the cyber charter school attendance policy. The prior option to impose an alternative consequence is removed.

    		Applies to benchmark policies approved for SY 2026-27

    Section 1218.2
    Permit for
    Classroom Monitors

    The Classroom Monitor Permit program is revised as follows:

    • School entities may use qualified classroom monitors to supervise students using lessons planned and developed by a professional or temporary employee assigned to the classroom.
    • Monitors may not plan instruction, create or grade student work, or remain in the same assignment for more than 20 cumulative school days.
    • Classroom monitors must have at least 60 college credits or three years as a currently employed paraprofessional and all, required background clearances; be age 25 or older; and complete PDE-approved classroom management training through an intermediate unit.
    • School entities must report classroom monitor permit data to PDE by June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter.

    School entities must continue ensuring that students with disabilities receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

    July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

    Section 742.1
    Lead Testing

    Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, school facilities where children attend school may test drinking water annually for lead. Results above 0.005 mg/L require an immediate exposure-prevention plan and alternative drinking water. A school entity that does not test must discuss lead issues at a public meeting. Results above 0.005 mg/L must be reported to PDE for public posting.

    SY 2026-27

    Sections 701-A
    and 702-A
    Public School Facilities Inventory

    Article VII-A School Facilities charges PDE with collecting information from each school entity for each public school. PDE will establish a form and process for collecting the required data by April 1, 2027. Schools will have until December 31, 2027, to submit.

    The law defines "athletic facility," "public school facility," "school entity," and "department". Athletic facilities are specifically included within the definition of public school facilities subject to inventory.

    Data points include ownership, address, grade configuration, enrollment and 10-year projections, building capacity, facility type, square footage, acreage, ownership versus lease status, maintenance responsibility, building age, and major renovations. Inventory updates are required every five years and whenever there are significant changes in ownership, occupancy, use, closures, or major damage.

    Immediate

    Section 1327.4
    School District Virtual Wellness Checks

    The law requires school districts to conduct weekly wellness checks for students receiving full-time virtual instruction through the school district's virtual program for the full school year.

    School districts must visibly see and communicate in real time with each full-time virtual student at least once during each instructional week of three or more instructional days. The law establishes outreach, written notice, conference, in-person follow-up, mandated reporting, policy posting, documentation, and enforcement requirements.

    SY 2026-27

    Section 1333 Procedure for When
    a Child Is Truant

    A habitually truant student may not transfer to a cyber charter school during the school year unless a judge determines it is in the educational best interest of the student. 

    The law establishes procedural requirements for educational best interest hearing. When determining the educational best interest of a student, the judge must consider numerous factors, including attendance, grades, prior enrollment history, safety concerns, bullying, mental health, trauma, academic programming, disciplinary history, family support, and the student's likelihood of success in the proposed educational setting.

    Immediate

    Section 1333.2
    Truancy Citation Hearings

    The law updates procedures after a truancy citation is filed. Hearings that result from the filing of a truancy citation must include the student’s current school and a parent or person in parental relation residing with the student. Hearings must be conducted in person unless two-way simultaneous communication is authorized under court rules.

    Immediate

    Sections
    1301-B and 1303.1-A
    Bullying and Cyberbullying

    The law revises bullying/cyberbullying policy and implementation procedures.

    Every school entity must maintain a bullying and cyberbullying policy that identifies the appropriate staff member to receive reports, promptly investigate every reported incident, and promptly notify parents or guardians of all students involved after a determination is made. Policies must be posted on the school's website and available in every classroom, displayed prominently within each school building, reviewed with students within 90 days after adoption and annually thereafter, reviewed by the school entity every three years, and submitted annually to PDE with information describing prevention, intervention, and education efforts.

    The law also adds statutory definitions for "artificial intelligence-generated or modified media," and “cyberbullying”. School entities (school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, charter school entities) may continue applying their policies to off-campus conduct that substantially affects the school environment.

    Immediate

    Section 1306-B
    School Safety and Mental Health Grants

    PCCD is authorized to use up to $8.3M of unexpended, uncommitted money from the School Safety and Security Fund to train school employees, school safety coordinators, security personnel and threat assessment teams and provide technical assistance to schools.

    PCCD is allocated the following for grants to schools:

    • $100M plus 75% of unexpended, uncommitted money from the School Safety and Security Fund for school safety and mental health grants to public schools; and
    • $20.7M for targeted school safety grants for nonpublic schools.

    Schools can use school safety grant funding to purchase automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and to pay for AED training.

    Immediate

    Sections 1309-B, 1310-B and 1316-B
    School Safety & Security Training

    School safety coordinators’ duties and required school safety training are expanded to address suicide and cyberbullying awareness and prevention.

    Immediate

    Section 1322-B
    School Mapping Services

    This new section establishes procurement and data-security requirements for contracts for school mapping services that utilize state funds. Public and nonpublic schools using state funding for mapping services must follow statutory standards governing mapping data, provider capabilities, law-enforcement access, data security, breach notification, and related contracting requirements.

    Immediate

    Sections 1402, 1408 and 1512.1
    Health Services and BMI

    The law revises body mass index (BMI) communication, reporting, and instructional practices.

    For school screening purposes, student height and weight may only be collected by a school nurse or other health care practitioner. Parents or guardians may request an exemption in writing and school entities must notify parents and guardians of the process by which to request an exemption.

    BMI calculations are limited to state reporting purposes. BMI data submitted to the PA Department of Health must exclude personally identifiable information. Schools may not provide a student’s BMI to the student or parent without written parent/guardian permission. BMI may not be calculated as part of academic instruction (including Physical Education or Health classes) and the calculation must be performed by a school nurse or other health care practitioner employed by the school entity for that sole purpose. Any collection of height and weight for instruction must be confidential.

    Immediate

    Section 1426
    Eating Disorder Awareness

    Schools must make state-developed eating disorder resources available to students and families. PDE and the PA Department of Health must develop age-appropriate resources. At a minimum, school entities (school districts, intermediate units, career and technical centers, and charter school entities) must annually post these resources online for students in grades 6-12, parents. State materials must be updated at least every five years.

    Immediate

    Section 1504.1
    Implementing
    Later School
    Start Times

    The new section establishes a process for school districts to implement later school start times. A school district considering later start times must post the proposal online, solicit community comment at two public meetings, and, if adopted, report the new start time and implementation funding source to PDE.

    Immediate

    Section 1551
    Personal Financial Literacy

    A rigorous course with targeted personal financial literacy content may satisfy the statutory requirement even when the financial literacy content is embedded within another course and does not itself equal to 0.5 credit.

    A rigorous course of study is defined as an academically rigorous college-level course, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, dual credit, or a concentrated career and technical education (CTE) program. Schools should review high school course alignment with the personal financial literacy requirement.

    Immediate

    Section 1511-D and 1515-D
    PreK Counts Programs

    Intermediate units are eligible to serve as a PreK Counts Program provider; and approved PreK Counts Programs may provide either a minimum of 180 days or 900 hours of prekindergarten instruction for a full day program/450 hour for half-day program.

    Immediate

    Section 1723-A
    Cyber Enrollment and Habitual Truancy

    Before enrolling a student in a cyber charter school after the school year begins, the cyber charter must confirm the student is not habitually truant and request the student’s attendance/truancy record from the student’s prior school.

    No later than five (5) business days after receiving the cyber charter school's written request, the student's prior school entity or nonpublic school shall provide the cyber charter school with the student's attendance and truancy record.

    A cyber charter school may not enroll a student who is habitually truant during the current school year or receive payment from the student's school district of residence unless a judge determines the transfer is in the educational best interest of the child.

    Immediate

    Section 1743-A
    Cyber Charter
    School Requirements

    Prior to a new student’s first day at the cyber charter school and annually for all students, a cyber charter school must provide the student’s parent or guardian with information regarding courses, standardized testing, anticipated meetings, contact information, extracurricular activities, school policies, and the academic calendar. The information provided now also must include the school’s wellness check policy, wellness review conference information, and resources supporting compulsory attendance.

    Immediate

    Section 1748-A
    Cyber Charter Enrollment and Residence Verification

    Initial Enrollment Notification: Within 10 days of a student's enrollment, the cyber charter school must notify the student's school district of residence using the PDE Charter School Enrollment Form. For students enrolling between July 1 and September 15, this notification satisfies the annual residency notification requirement for that school year.

    Annual Proof of District Residency: Cyber charter schools are responsible for ensuring the Cyber Charter School Annual District Residency Verification Form and proof of residence are received from each student’s parent/guardian and for transmitting that information to the student’s school district of residence.

    Each year, cyber charter schools must:

    • Notify parents/guardians between July 1 and September 15 that they must submit the PDE-developed Cyber Charter School Annual District Residency Verification Form and proof of residence to the cyber charter school by September 30. The notification must include a link to the form and submission instructions;
    • Collect completed forms and proof of residence from parents/guardians by September 30; and
    • Submit the completed form and proof of residence to the student's school district of residence by October 15.

    Returning Students Without Residency Verification: If a returning student's parent/guardian does not submit the required residency verification documentation by November 15, the cyber charter school may submit a PDE-developed Cyber Charter School Alternate Residency Notification Form with supporting residency information and documentation of at least five attempts to contact the parent/guardian, including at least one attempt through certified mail. If a school district does not agree that the student is a resident of the district, the district may use the appeal process outlined in the law.

    Tuition Payments: A school district may withhold tuition payments, and PDE will not process cyber charter tuition deductions, until the required residency documentation is received. After compliant documentation is submitted, any outstanding tuition payments must be made within 30 days for the period of the student's enrollment.

    Students identified as homeless under the McKinney-Vento Act are not required to provide a home address or annual proof of residency.

    Immediate

    Section 1748.1-A
    Cyber Student Wellness Checks

    The law revises the process and timelines that cyber charter schools must follow when conducting weekly student wellness checks. Cyber charter schools must submit a wellness check policy to PDE by March 1 each year for approval and post the approved policy on the school website.

    Immediate

    Section 1859
    Temporary CTE Waiver

    Beginning with SY2026-27 and continuing through SY2028-29 (three years), CTE students may, but are not required to, complete their approved CTE programs before grade 12. Schools should review their local CTE program sequencing and student options.

    SY 2026-27 – SY 2028-29

    Section 1703-D
    Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot

    The Disability Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program is extended through the 2028-29 school year.

    Immediate

     

    Phase 2: Fall 2026

    Provision

    Summary

    Effective Date

    Section 1333
    Truancy Notices and Educational Best Interest Hearings

    The law updates truancy notification requirements and establishes educational best interest hearings before certain students can transfer to cyber charter schools.

    Beginning October 10, 2026, notices issued after a student's third unexcused absence must now include:

    • Resources available to improve attendance and academic recovery;
    • Notice that habitually truant students may not transfer to a cyber charter school during the school year without judicial approval; and
    • A standardized notice developed by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), in consultation with PDE, explaining how to request an educational best interest hearing.

    The statute creates procedures allowing a parent or a student aged 15 or older to request an educational best interest hearing before a citation is filed. A judge must hold the educational best interest hearing within 10 days of receiving the hearing request or citation, and the student’s current school is required to attend the hearing. The hearing venue must be based on the location of the school that the student currently attends or based on the student’s residence, if the student is enrolled in a cyber charter school. Hearings must be conducted in person unless two-way simultaneous communication is authorized under court rules.

    October 10, 2026

    Section 1506
    FIDs and Remote/Virtual Days

    The law requires all public schools to report to PDE how they use Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) and other remote/virtual days each year beginning with SY2026-27.

    Before finalizing the 2027-2028 school calendar, and each year thereafter, public schools must discuss the planned use of flexible instructional days and other remote or virtual instructional days at an open meeting.

    Reporting begins in SY 2026-27

    Public meeting must be held prior to SY 2027-28

    Phase 3: Winter 2026-June 2027

    Provision

    Summary

    Effective Date

    Sections
    1310-B and 1316-B
    School Safety Training Standards

    PCCD’s School Safety and Security Committee must develop suicide and cyberbullying awareness and prevention training standards.

    January 8, 2027

    Section 1205.2

    Professional Education

    Professional educators certified and employed in another state may submit continuing education credits or hours approved by that state to maintain an active Pennsylvania certificate, subject to PDE review for comparability. If an educator moves out of Pennsylvania, PDE must notify them of this option.

    January 8, 2027

    Sections 1327.4
    and 1748.1-A
    Annual Wellness Check Policies

    School districts operating full-time virtual programs must adopt and post their annual wellness check policy by March 1 of each year.

    Cyber charter schools must submit their wellness check policy to PDE for approval by March 1 annually. Once approved, the cyber charter school shall post the policy on its website.

    March 1, 2027, and annually thereafter (for SY 2027-28 and beyond)

    Section 121.2
    Standardized
    Testing Study

    The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee must conduct a study of standardized testing and federal accountability requirements and post its findings by June 9, 2027.

    June 9, 2027

    Section 1218.2
    Classroom Monitor Reporting

    School entities must report classroom monitor permit data to PDE by June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter. Annual reporting requirements include the number of classroom monitors used, days of service, and substitute compensation rates.

    June 30, 2027, and annually thereafter

    Section 1506
    FIDs and Remote/Virtual Days

    Schools must report annual use of FIDs and other remote/virtual days to PDE in the form and manner prescribed by the department.

    July 31, 2027, and annually thereafter

    Section 1303.1-A
    Bullying and Cyberbullying

    Schools must revise and implement their bullying/cyberbullying policies and reporting procedures. Every school entity must submit annually to PDE the information describing prevention, intervention, and education efforts.

    July 31, 2027, and annually thereafter

    Phase 4: 2027-28 School Year and Later

    Provision

    Summary

    Effective Date

    Sections
    1205.5 and 1217
    Professional Education and Leadership Standards

    The law updates professional education and leadership compliance practices by expanding the definition of "school or system leader" to include Superintendents serving under Commission Qualification Letters and those serving as Assistant Career and Technical Directors. These school or system leaders, as defined, are now subject to leadership continuing education requirements.

    July 1, 2027

    Section 1512.2
    Daily Recess

    School entities must build recess into elementary schedules by the start of SY2027-28. School entities must provide at least 30 minutes of recess each full school day for full-day kindergarten through grade 5 and at least 15 minutes for half-day kindergarten. Lunch may not be shortened to provide recess. If instructional time is reduced, reductions must be proportionate across tested and non-tested subjects. For purposes of this section, school entities include school districts, intermediate units, area career and technical schools, charter schools or regional charter schools.

    SY 2027-28

    Section 702-A
    Public School Facility Inventory Submission

    Public schools have until December 31, 2027, to submit the statutory information required for the new school facilities inventory administered by PDE.

    December 31, 2027, and every five years thereafter

    Section 1511.2
    Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy

    School entities that award the Seal of Biliteracy must report data for the prior school year to PDE by October 31, 2027, and by October 31 each year thereafter. Students who are awarded the Seal of Biliteracy must have the seal noted on their transcripts beginning with SY 2026-2027.

    October 31, 2027, and annually every year thereafter

    Sections
    1423.1 and 1423.3
    AED/CPR Requirements

    By May 13, 2029, all public and nonpublic schools must:

    • Ensure instruction in CPR and the use of an AED is available on school premises at least once every two years to employes and volunteers; and
    • Properly test and maintain each AED in accordance with the manufacturer's operational guidelines and the most recent minimum specifications by the PA Department of Health.

    By May 13, 2029, public and nonpublic schools that participate in interscholastic athletics also must:

    • Have an AED readily available and accessible for all athletics and practices;
    • Have individuals trained and certified in CPR and the use of an AED at each AED location; and
    • Develop or amend their cardiac emergency response plan accordingly.

    By May 13, 2029, all public schools also must:

    • Ensure at least one individual trained and certified in the use of an AED and CPR is present in each school building during each school day; and
    • That each school nurse or designee, coach of an athletic activity, marching band director, physical education teacher and athletic trainer within each school entity receives instruction in the use of an AED and CPR. 

    No later than May 13, 2029