PRINTER'S NO. 1876
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1252
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, LANGERHOLC, KILLION, MENSCH, KEARNEY,
AUMENT, STEFANO AND BOSCOLA, AUGUST 11, 2020
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, AUGUST 11, 2020
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 intermediate units, providing for
Retired Volunteer Educator Tutor Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 923.4-A. Retired Volunteer Educator Tutor Program.--
(a) Establishment. The Retired Volunteer Educator Tutor Program
is established.
(b) Purpose. The program shall provide for individualized
tutoring sessions by retired volunteer educators for students of
a school district during a mandated school closure under a
disaster emergency to assist all of the following:
(1) Students attending the school district with limited
technology resources in their homes.
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(2) Students attending the school district who are
identified by the school district as having difficulty with
online or distance learning.
(c) Requirements. The following apply:
(1) The tutoring sessions shall be conducted by telephone
with retired volunteer educators assisting students who are
identified by the school district as meeting the requirements
under subsection (b).
(2) The parent or guardian of the student shall be permitted
to monitor the telephone session with the student.
(d) Operation. The program shall be operated by the
intermediate unit that serves the school district.
(e) Model items. The department shall provide collaboration
and guidance to the intermediate units as needed, with model
items such as implementation of the program, replication of a
model program or standardization of a statement for the
student's parent or guardian to sign for participation in the
program.
(f) Collaboration. As the need for virtual education
increases, the department and intermediate units shall
collaborate to:
(1) evaluate and share information on the impact of the
program; and
(2) investigate methods to virtually provide social wrap-
around services and school guidance counseling services.
(g) Definitions. As used in this section:
"Department" means the Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Disaster emergency" means a declaration of disaster
emergency issued by the Governor under 35 Pa.C.S. ยง 7301(c)
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(relating to general authority of Governor).
"Online or distance learning" includes the provision of
continuity of education to students using alternative means
during a period of closure due to a disaster emergency.
"Program" means the Retired Volunteer Educator Tutor Program.
"School district" means a school district that has been
ordered closed under a disaster emergency and that offers online
or distance learning as a part of its continuity of education.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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