Altoona Times

Incoming Pennsylvania House Republican Leader Jesse Topper has highlighted the need for significant changes in the state's education system following the release of recent statewide assessment results. The data, provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, indicates that while there have been some improvements in math and science proficiency, students continue to fall behind in English language arts compared to pre-COVID achievement levels.

"While the statewide assessment scores released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education show some areas of improvement, it is clear we are still lagging behind our pre-COVID achievement scores and Pennsylvania students are continuing to learn at a deficit compared to their predecessors," said Topper.

The results suggest that despite incremental progress in certain subjects, overall student performance remains below expectations. Topper emphasized the necessity for "transformational change" within the educational framework to achieve substantial improvements.

"If we are to expect tangible change in outcomes, we must have transformational change in our system of education. It is clear unfocused budgetary and legislative education priorities in state government are not benefitting Pennsylvania’s children in the classroom," he stated.

Topper expressed his commitment to working collaboratively with different political factions and with Governor Shapiro's administration to address these challenges. "I look forward to continuing to work across the aisle and with the Shapiro administration to find common ground on shared goals that can advance the kind of transformative change in our education system our students so desperately need."