Week of 10-6-2025

Inside this issue

• PSEA urges state Senate to pass House budget bill
• Why the upcoming judicial elections matter
• How are you celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month?
• Soapbox: “What effect would a state law banning cellphone use during school hours have on student learning?”
• PEARL & Center for Professional Learning
• Member Benefits spotlight: TruHearing

On Oct. 8, PSEA President Aaron Chapin commended members of the Pennsylvania House who voted once again to pass a real, balanced state budget that invests in students, educators, and communities and called on Senate Republicans to stop playing political games and pass the budget without further delay.

For public education, the state House budget bill that passed this week includes:

• A $565 million increase for public schools, which is the second installment in the adequacy and tax equity payments needed to fix Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional school funding system.
  
  
• A $105 million increase in basic education funding for all public schools.
  
  
• A $40 million increase in special education funding for all public schools.
  
  
• $30 million for the student teacher stipend program to pay student teachers for the work they do during their 12-week student teaching experience.

Chapin made it clear that Senate Republicans have held up a full-year budget for more than 100 days, leaving schools short more than $3.76 billion in state payments and forcing some districts to borrow money just to stay afloat. He urged them to pass the House plan immediately and put Pennsylvania’s students first.

You can find updates as well as a full list of all school entities and the estimated state funding they have missed in July, August, and September at the link below.

The 2025 General Election is right around the corner. And while politics may feel like the last thing anyone wants to think about, this election has real consequences for public education, workers’ rights, and our daily lives. Three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and several appellate judges are up for retention and election, and your “YES” vote helps keep fair, independent courts in place.

Judges recommended for retention:

PA Supreme Court

• Justice Christine Donohue
• Justice Kevin Dougherty
• Justice David Wecht

PA Superior Court

• Judge Alice B. Dubow

PA Commonwealth Court

• Judge Michael Wojcik

Judges recommended for election:

• Superior Court: Judge Brandon Neuman
• Commonwealth Court: Judge Stella Tsai

Both Neuman and Tsai are highly recommended by the Pennsylvania Bar Association and backed by multiple labor organizations statewide.

Remember:

• Judges must stand for retention every 10 years and retire at age 75 under the Pennsylvania Constitution.
• Misinformation is circulating about these justices, so be sure to check trusted, nonpartisan sources like the PSEA Judicial Retention page for the facts.
• Visit SchoolHouseBallot.com to find school board candidates who support public education in your district.

Vote “YES” to retain fair-minded judges and support candidates who stand with public education – all the way to the end of your ballot.

PSEA celebrates the diverse experiences, voices, and vibrant cultures Hispanic communities bring to Pennsylvania’s public schools and students this month, and all year round. 

Do you have something planned with your students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? Let us know on Facebook.

Share your thoughts with us here

PEARL

Visit the new, improved PEARL today and choose from more than 95 asynchronous courses available for Act 48 credit and Chapter 14 verification.

You can find multiple courses that interest you in any of these tracks: 

• Book Studies
• Educational Equity
• Pedagogy
• Policy
• Pupil Services
• Special Populations
• Technology in Education
• SEL & Wellness

Webinars

• Getting to Know the 3D Science Standards: STEELS Are Here!
  • Oct. 16, 7-8:30 p.m.
• Certification, Tenure, Induction, and Act 48
  • Oct. 21, 7-8 p.m.
• From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Educator Support & Development
  • Nov. 18, 7-8:30 p.m.

Book Discussions

• Spooky Stories to Read in the Classroom
  
  • Oct. 29, 7-8 p.m.
• Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally
  
  • Nov. 5, 7-8 p.m.
• Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Students to Engage the World
  
  • Dec. 3, 7-8 p.m.

Postgraduate Credits

Earn postgraduate credits from PennWest University for $70 each!

More than 150 postgraduate credits are available across a wide range of teaching and learning topics.

These postgraduate credits (micro-credentials) can count toward the 24 credits required for a Level II certificate and also may count toward salary advancement.*

For support professionals, these courses may meet Chapter 14 requirements.**

*Check your contract to determine if you can apply standalone postgraduate credits for column movement.
**Seek approval from your employer prior to completing hours to apply toward Chapter 14 requirements.

PSEA members and their families are eligible for discounts on hearing care and benefits through TruHearing. PSEA provides you and your extended family members a hearing program through TruHearing that includes a free annual hearing exam and substantial savings on the top-of-the-line hearing aids and professional care.

Program benefits include:

• FREE enrollment, NO premiums
• Free annual hearing screening for you and your extended family
• Access to a nationwide network of nearly 7,200 hearing locations
• Reduction on the price of most hearing aids offered
• Low price guarantee on all styles of hearing aids from major brands
• 60-day money back trial period for exchanges and returns
• 3-year repair warranty
• 3-year loss and damage coverage
• 3 years of hearing aid cleanings and checkup services
• 2 years of free batteries with every hearing aid purchase
• No-interest financing available
• Extended warranties available to purchase for current hearing aids