In Harrisburg, the Senate Education Committee has advanced a bipartisan scholarship bill aimed at improving educational opportunities for students in underperforming schools. The legislation, sponsored by Senators Judy Ward and Anthony Williams, proposes the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) scholarship program.
Senate Bill 10 seeks to create scholarship accounts for eligible students, enabling them to attend schools outside their designated public school if it ranks in the bottom 15% statewide based on academic performance. The program would be managed by the Pennsylvania State Treasury and financed through various sources, including appropriations and donations.
Ward expressed her support for the initiative: “I am proud to join with my colleagues to stand up for children and their future by passing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success scholarship program out of the Senate Education Committee.”
Eligibility for scholarships is determined by a student’s residence within low-performing school boundaries and household income below 250% of the federal poverty level. The funds could cover tuition and other education-related expenses at nonpublic schools.
The need for alternative educational options is highlighted by recent assessment results from the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), which show significant deficiencies in math and language arts proficiency among students in public schools.
A poll from the American Federation for Children indicates strong voter support in Pennsylvania, with 71% favoring scholarships for low-income students to access better educational opportunities.
Governor Josh Shapiro has shown support for similar initiatives, emphasizing fully funding public education while providing parents with more choices: “I’m for fully funding public education… And I’m for making sure we add scholarships like lifeline scholarships to make sure that that’s additive to their educations.”
Senate Bill 10 will now proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.
