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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	March 1, 2023 02:31 PM
From:	Senator Jarrett Coleman
To:	All Senate members
Subject:	Mandate Waivers for Public Schools

In speaking to school leaders throughout my district, and from my first-hand observations as a member of a school board, I am keenly aware of how mandates impact our public schools. Compliance with these well-intentioned mandates can be costly, time consuming, and may not impact the quality of the students’ education. To provide public schools flexibility and relief from unnecessary mandates, I will be reintroducing Senate Bill 73 from last session. It was previously introduced by Senator Langerholc and cosponsored by Senators Martin, Argall, Stefano, Aument, J. Ward, DiSanto, Phillips-Hill, Kearney, Mastriano, Pittman, and Baker. The legislation will reinstitute a mandate waiver program similar to the program that operated from 2000 to 2010.    The legislation will allow public schools in the Commonwealth to apply to the Department of Education for a waiver of many state-imposed mandates.  PDE can approve a waiver, if the public school can prove that its instructional program will improve or the school will operate in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner.  The application will require supporting data showing the benefits to the waiver.    Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to give public schools the flexibility they need to educate Pennsylvania’s students effectively and efficiently.

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